Local consultation on women fisher-folk registration, identification and social safety net programme

On June 4, 2024, a consultation meeting on “Registration, Identification, and Social Security Programs for Male and Female Fishermen” took place in Kamalnagar Upazila, Lakshmipur. The meeting, attended by 29 people (6 women and 23 men), focused on the registration process for fishermen, distribution of ID cards in light of the Fisherman Registration Guideline 2019, the criteria to qualify as a fisherman, and the challenges related to gender disparities. The meeting began with warm wishes and self-introductions. Following a welcome speech by Badabon Sangho Senior Program Officer Fariha Jesmin about the application process and how to get enlisted as registered fishermen and women, participants discussed the distribution of identity cards and social safety programs. The meeting emphasized the need to follow the 2019 guidelines for fisherman registration and the 2009 policy on water body leases. It was noted that while there are about 5,000 registered fishermen, only 8-10 are women, who use spears for fishing and are often not officially recognized. Issues of corruption were discussed, including non-fishermen holding fisherman cards.  It was stressed that the registration process needs to take place going door to door in the fisher community to ensure that real fishermen and women are registered and issued ID cards to claim government services like allotted quantity of rice (30 kgs) and other admissible benefits set for the fishers. The discussion also highlighted the need for better record-keeping and updating of fisherman registrations to prevent corruption. Parveen Halima, Women Human Rights Activist highlighted social issues like the lack of family planning and child marriages in fishing communities. Sujitra Ranjan Das stressed the importance of issuing cards only to those directly involved in fishing and updating records to prevent corruption. Outcomes include that 13,167 fishermen are registered, out of which a negligible number of fisherwomen represent this Upazila. Fishermen received services from 2 Upazila Fishery officers. One journalist highlighted the barriers women fishers face in accessing offered benefits and services. The updating of female fishers’ records is currently adjourned. The UNO informed about the restart of the updating process soon.