Fisherwomen federations in delta districts seek recognition of International Fisherwomen’s Day

Fisherwomen forming a human chain in Tharangambadi, Mayiladuthurai district, linking coastal villages from Chandapadi to Kurinjiyandiyur.
| Photo Credit:
Special arrangement

Fisherwomen displaying placards near the shore at Akkampettai in Karaikal, highlighting their demands for recognition and rights.
| Photo Credit:
Special arrangement

Fisherwomen federations across the delta districts of Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, and Karaikal organised a series of programmes on Wednesday to highlight the indispensable yet often invisible role of women in fisheries and coastal livelihoods.

As part of the campaign themed “Anchored in Struggle, Rising in Solidarity,” the federations, affiliated with the World Forum of Fisher Peoples (WFFP), turned their coastal villages into vibrant spaces of celebration and assertion. In Karaikal, the fisherwomen’s federation organised a food festival on the beach, showcasing traditional recipes and the cultural importance of cooking within fishing communities. In Mayiladuthurai district, human chains and rallies were held across Tharangambadi and Sirkazhi, while sports competitions were conducted in Kollidam, drawing enthusiastic participation from women across the fishing hamlets. In Nagapattinam, houses in several villages were decorated with kolams symbolising the strength and centrality of fisherwomen in sustaining livelihoods and protecting marine ecosystems.

Speaking to The Hindu, G. Sumathi, leader of the Karaikal Fisherwomen’s Federation, said, “Women form the backbone of fisheries — from pre-catch to post-harvest — yet their labour remains invisible in policies and statistics. Declaring November 5 as International Fisherwomen’s Day is a step towards acknowledging this truth.”

K. Kalaimathi, leader of the Mayiladuthurai Fisherwomen’s Federation, and representatives from Nagapattinam echoed similar views, emphasising that fisherwomen must be recognised as full rights-holders in fisheries governance.

The WFFP, the world’s largest collective of traditional fishing communities, declared November 5 as International Fisherwomen’s Day during its eighth General Assembly in Brazil, following a series of regional assemblies culminating in the Global Fisherwomen’s Assembly in Thailand (August 2025).

“The sea has always been a space of courage, survival, and solidarity,” said Anjali, leader of the Nagapattinam Fisherwomen’s Federation.