South Asia Bulletin

by Melody Braun, WorldFish Center, Bangladesh

The Bengali proverb “mache-bhatee Bengali” (rice and fish make a Bengali) well illustrates the important role played by fish and fisheries in food security in Bangladesh. Fish represent 58 percent of total animal protein consumption and are a key source of vitamins and nutrients. Because of women’s lower social status, religious-cultural norms and values, restricted mobility and heavy responsibilities at household, women are considered to be less directly involved than men in fisheries activities. But in reality women are heavily involved in fish production systems: feed preparation, fertilization of ponds and feeding fish and shrimp as well as post-harvest activities are often their responsibility. Read more »