In Homa Bay County, young women are increasingly venturing into fishing in Lake Victoria, which has for years been a men-dominated economic activity.
Once dependent on men for fish supply, these women are now emerging as key producers through cage fishing, a practice that allows them to rear fish in enclosed nets within the lake.
At the forefront of this movement is the Rusinga Nile Perch Women Group, hailing from Rusinga Island in Suba North constituency.
They have revolutionised their role in fishing by moving away from the reliance on male fishermen and taken control of their production process.
They are leading the way in cage fishing, which is quickly becoming a sustainable and profitable venture.
Members of the women's group got into the business when they realised they gained nothing from being fully dependent on men for fish supply.
In 2021, as a small group, they started fish production.
They used their own nets before getting a cage at Nyagina Beach in Rusinga Island ward.
Chairperson Bettina Adhiambo and secretary Cynthia Onyango revealed that many women in the fishing industry had suffered at the hands of rogue fishermen.
It was not uncommon for the men to demand sexual favours from women in exchange for fish.
“Sexual exploitation was rampant as young women on beaches strived to venture into fish businesses. Sex for fish was the order of the day because women lacked sources to get fish,” Adhiambo said.
When the media visited them at the beach during a site visit of the cages by their partners, Adhiambo said they mobilised and sensitised women about the importance of coming together to source fish from the lake.
After hearing their talks, some women changed their mind and opted to become independent.
They joined the group, where they were encouraged to have a source of income before local and non-governmental organisations empower them.
The group started with 10 members, which has grown to 22 and the impact is spreading.
So far, 300 women across Suba North have embraced the idea of cage fishing.
Some now have boats and nets which they rent our for extra income while maintaining a steady supply of fish.
“The group has the capacity to assign some fishermen to go to the lake and get us fish. This has completely eradicated jaboya (sex for fish) in beaches,” Adhiambo added.
The group members have undergone comprehensive training that enables them to take care of fish and maintain the cages.
With support from Farm Africa organisation which set up a cage, the group has stocked more than 3,500 fingerlings.
They are expecting a large harvest after eight months, which will further boost their income.
The secretary said the program has not only empowered the women financially but also inspired them to diversify their ventures.
“We currently have plans to engage in soya bean production. The crop can be used as fish feed, which will help in reducing production costs,” Onyango said.
Fishermen welcomed the project saying it will redeem the image of fisher folk.
Cage farming's popularity in Kenya is increasing especially in Lake Victoria.
In 2020, there were over 2,500 fish cages spread across counties bordering the lake such as Kisumu, Homa Bay, Siaya, Migori and Busia.
Farm Africa Country Director Mary Nyale said they decided to help members of the group as part of the organisation's objectives to empower young women.
The organisation runs a project called Youths in Sustainable Aquaculture where groups and individual farmers are supported to grow fish.
Nyale said five other partners support the project through initiatives such as market linkages, production of fingerlings and black soldier flies (insects bred for fish feed) value chain.
“The organisations tend to empower young women and create 150,000 jobs across the six counties in Nyanza and Western regions. Such empowerment increases self-reliance among the youth,” Nyale said.
The women are assisted with capital to start off.
This reduces the possibility of men taking advantage of them, since women in the business who do not have capital are vulnerable.
“Many women lacked money to start business hence we provided them with capital. The start-up capital for the women has reduced vices that affect them,” she said.
At Nyagina beach, the women have access to a revolving fund to set up additional cages.
They also receive ongoing support including fish feeds and business equipment such as freezers.
Capacity building initiatives are also underway, helping women to think strategically about the growth and sustainability of their businesses.
Joseph Ouma, the chairperson Nyagina Beach Management Unit lauded the programme for its role in eliminating jaboya and creating incentives for more women to join the fishing industry.
“The support provided through this initiative has sparked great interest among women in cage fishing, with more women joining the business, transforming lives and communities,” he said.
The initiative's impact extends beyond economic empowerment, Ouma adds, saying the programme is reshaping the cultural and social dynamics on the shores of Lake Victoria.