Women and fisheries: Opening access in the Marshall Islands
Teacher's Notes
| Case Study | Student Activities |
Overview
The Marshall Islands consist of 1,225 islands spread over nearly 1.25 million square kilometres of the Pacific Ocean. The environment offers rich potential for the development of a fisheries industry, although a number of factors have significantly limited that development. Long distances between islands and high transport and communications costs have proven a barrier; lack of finance has resulted in a shortage of equipment, training and jobs; selected areas have been over-harvested; and pollution is increasing, particularly in inner reef areas. Yet, some traditional values and attitudes associated with the roles of women in fisheries activities have also restrained development, not only in the fisheries industry, but also of women's social, political and economic development.
This case study investigates the causes and consequences of women's limited participation in Marshall Islands fisheries industries. It examines the role of the Women in Fisheries Development Project in assisting women's greater participation in fisheries industries, if they choose, and outlines the multiple benefits of that participation for the women, their families, communities and the wider Marshall Islands society and environment.
Level
Secondary
Objectives
Students:
- investigate factors limiting the development of the Marshall Islands fisheries industries
- investigate the causes of women's limited participation in such industries
- predict the consequences for the women, their families, communities and the wider Marshall Islands society and environment of women's limited participation
- identify the women's needs for greater participation, as well as their wider social, political and economic needs
- identify how the women's various needs may be met
- develop empathy with residents of the Marshall Islands, especially women
- appreciate how well-planned and well-coordinated development projects can have multiple positive outcomes.
Links with nationally developed statements and profiles
Studies of society and environment:
- Time, Continuity and Change - Interpretations and perspectives
- Place and Space - Features of places, People and places, Care of places
- Culture - Cultural cohesion and diversity, Personal group and cultural identity
- Resources - Use of resources, People and work, Management and enterprise
- Natural and Social Systems - Natural systems, Economic systems
- Investigation, Communication and Participation.
Preparation
- class set of atlases
- copies of case study (one per student)
- butchers' paper
- textas and other drawing materials
- scissors
- access to the Internet (see Student Activities).
Procedure
Ask students to suggest the location of the Marshall Islands and then to find the islands either on a world wall map or in atlases. Given the location, ask students to suggest some likely major commercial activities. (Tourism and fishing are commonly suggested.) Focus the students on fishing and ask them to brainstorm the necessary conditions for a successful fisheries industry. Encourage them to consider 'successful' beyond 'profitable' and to consider issues of ecologically sustainable development. Conclude with what could be 'limitations' for the development of such industries, particularly given the Marshall Islands' location. (Perhaps ask students to calculate some of the distances between larger islands or groups and to equate them with distances between places on a map of Australia).
Following discussion, students can test their hypotheses by reading the case study and completing a selection of activities. Some activities develop similar knowledge outcomes, but present students with different options and develop different skills for achieving them.
This case study could form part of a larger unit on women in development, gender and development, ecologically sustainable development or marine/environmental studies.
Resources
- AusAID Focus articles and other publications on similar projects can be found at the AusAID website:
- Coastal Fisheries Programme website offers numerous links to relevant and interesting web sites:
http://www.spc.org.nc/coastfish
- Secretariat of the Pacific Community, An Assessment of the Role of Women in Fisheries in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, New Zealand Official Development Assistance and Australian Agency for International Development, 1998. Obtained from Canberra Mailing:
Canberra Mailing:
Ph: 02 6269 1230
Fax: 02 6269 1229
Email: books@ausaid.gov.au - The Global Education website has a number of other case studies on women in development. Topics include women in development, women in agriculture, women and microcredit and women and health.
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