Empowerment in Coastal Areas: Wives of Fisher Folks’ Perspectives

This study explored the feelings and thoughts of women who are wives of fisher folks regarding empowerment based on their experiences. The eight participants-wives of fisher folks of the study were residents of Caoayan, Sta. Catalina, and Santa, Ilocos Sur, respectively, for 3-5 years, at any age during the data gathering, married to fisher folk, and capable of expressing self. Key themes arose from the data, mainly self-worth and manifestations of empowerment. The central theme that appeared from the study is that the participants as a wife, mother, neighbor, and as a member of the society perform responsibly their multifaceted undertakings. Relevantly, the participants are also enjoying their right as women in terms of making choices. Likewise, their being wives of fisher folk do not prohibit them from joining social organizations.  The result of the study poses a challenge to the government: 1) The Local Government Unit (LGU) staff shall encourage the wives of fisher folk to continuously join in organizations, especially the fish vendor association, for them to be protected with their rights and privileges and the Municipal Health Office (MHO) should implement maternal services with an emphasis on the protection of women’s reproductive health.

Keywords: decision making, gender roles empowerment, fisherfolk