This article has been published first in INFOFISH issue 4/2024
FishBytes
In the Maldives, women are the ones who “turn the fish into money.” However, women fisherfolk often struggle with delayed and unfair payment conditions, unreliable buyers and middlemen, and poor access to financial information, tools, and training. IPNLF-Maldives developed an innovative solution connecting women fisherfolk in the Maldives to an exclusive digital market platform. This platform will allow them to account for their own production and sales data, receive payments directly without middlemen, conduct financial transactions online, build credit histories, and access financial tools, giving them autonomy over their small-scale businesses.
In the Maldives, traditional one-by-one tuna fishing is predominantly a male-dominated industry. However, the women can also transform the fish into money, playing a crucial role in supporting household finances and significantly contributing to the fisheries sector. In the Maldivian fishery, while a significant percentage of the tuna harvests are exported (as raw materials, as well as in value-added products exported to developed markets), the rest is consumed locally, serving as the population’s primary protein source.
Women largely sell and/or process the locally consumed tuna through various post-harvest activities such as drying, thus ensuring the economic viability of their communities. Despite their importance, women fisherfolk face numerous challenges that hinder the growth of their small-scale businesses and limit their economic benefits. These challenges include poor access to market information and credit, delayed and unfair payment conditions, unreliable buyers and middlemen, and limited financial assistance and training.
Empowerment through technology: eDhumashi
Recognising the vital role of women in the fisheries sector, the International Pole and Line Foundation (IPNLF) is committed to empowering them and bridging the gender gap in fishing communities. IPNLF’s “Baseline Survey Report: Increasing Economic Benefit to Women Fish Processors in the Maldives” outlines the current context, obstacles, and potential solutions for supporting these women. The report highlights the need for targeted interventions to enhance market access, improve financial literacy, and provide technical training to empower women fisherfolk.
A significant outcome of IPNLF’s efforts on gender equality and equity in fisheries is the development of the eDhumashi (short for “electronicDhumashi”) e-commerce platform, which functions as an exclusive online marketplace to uplift women socio-economically. This platform was named after the word “dhumashi,” a traditional fish rack used for smoking and drying fish in household kitchens. It was developed in consultation with women from Ga. Gemanafushi, one of the Maldives’ largest fishing islands, provides locals access to broader markets by centralising various locally made fish products.
eDhumashi is the first e-commerce platform to feature a complete Dhivehi version, eliminating language barriers and making digital trade more accessible through a user-friendly mobile application. This platform allows women to market their products directly to consumers, bypassing the traditional middlemen who often impose unfair conditions. By doing so, women gain greater control over pricing and distribution, enhancing their economic stability.
The eDhumashi IPNLF-Maldives project was one of the innovations selected by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), through its Ocean Innovation Challenge (OIC) initiative, which (since 2020) aims to accelerate progress on SDG 14 targets. Chosen out of 300 proposals, the project will receive incubation and financial support until summer 2024. The OIC, funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), was created on the basis that between overfishing, pollution, habitat loss and the multiple impacts of climate change on ocean ecosystems, the ocean has never faced such diverse threats.
Enhanced consumer experience: transparency and confidence in locally sourced fish products
Navigating the local market for fish products in the Maldives can be challenging for consumers, as there is limited information on product details and standards. eDhumashi aims to change this narrative by empowering producers to showcase their products with full production details and inspiring stories of the women behind the processing. Through eDhumashi, consumers can access detailed product information, including the woman who processed the fish, the originating island, and potentially how the fish was caught using sustainable methods. The platform, accessible on mobile, will therefore support transparency and traceability in the fisheries value chain and give consumers access to product information, aligning with IPNLF’s commitment to responsible fishing and consumption.
IPNLF’s vision to bridge fishing and tourism
As the Maldives seeks to diversify its economy beyond traditional sectors, there is a growing recognition of the untapped potential at the intersection of fishing and tourism. IPNLF envisions a future where local women in the fisheries sector play a central role in providing authentic cultural experiences to tourists. By integrating fishing and tourism activities and engaging women in culinary experiences and other tourism-related ventures, there’s an opportunity to unlock new economic opportunities and enrich the visitor experience. This approach will also allow women to contribute to the local economy, enabling income generation from the comfort of their homes and more fair revenue distribution across the population.
IPNLF Maldives is now collaborating with software developers, local women, and key stakeholders to enhance the eDhumashi platform. The goal is to provide comprehensive information for local and international tourists about island activities, particularly culinary experiences offered by women in fisheries. This initiative expands market access through digital means and offers opportunities to contribute to tourism from domestic settings.
As the Maldives seeks to diversify its economy beyond traditional sectors, there is a growing recognition of the untapped potential at the intersection of fishing and tourism. IPNLF envisions a future where local women in the fisheries sector play a central role in providing authentic cultural experiences to tourists. By integrating fishing and tourism activities and engaging women in culinary experiences and other tourism-related ventures, there’s an opportunity to unlock new economic opportunities and enrich the visitor experience. This approach will also allow women to contribute to the local economy, enabling income generation from the comfort of their homes and a more fair revenue distribution across the population.
IPNLF Maldives is now collaborating with software developers, local women, and key stakeholders to enhance the eDhumashi platform. The goal is to provide comprehensive information for local and international tourists about island activities, particularly culinary experiences offered by women in fisheries. This initiative expands market access through digital means and offers opportunities to contribute to tourism from domestic settings.
