iisd_ela

Hmmm, your question is so so-fish-ticated, perch-ance I'll answer your other question...

For us, it is cultural.

We often encounter outdated attitudes that women can't partake in science, and we try to forge our own paths and show our potential.

Also, many people suffer from lack of exposure to seeing women in the field--coupled with lack of opportunities for women.

And it's not just men! Women can be down on ourselves, and we don't realise our worth. Sometimes we can be guilty of not supporting each other!

Elizabeth For me there are a couple. Food insecurity is massive, because it can really affect people's behaviour. When people don't have good fishing gear, they are forced to catch small fish near the shoreline, which adversely affect fish populations.

Another massive problem is lack of information. Poor science communication, often only available in English, means that vast swathes of the population do not have a good understanding of their local environment, leading to poor choices.

Catherine Another problem is lack of funding for research. We can't improve anything if we do not have access to funds to further our knowledge of lake systems and ecosystems.

Catherine When I first decided to go into the field of fisheries, I got some really surprised responses from my peers and family. There is not much of a legacy of women working in the fisheries field in Tanzania and so I felt as though I really had to forge my own path and prove that there was a space for women in the field.

Elizabeth I find often in conferences and workshops, there is not a space for me to participate or speak. I notice everything from being discouraged to speak to discouraging facial expressions from male colleagues that create an environment where I don't feel like I can contribute on the same level as my male colleagues.

Gladys These impediments also spill over into practical concerns in the field. There are often many expeditions where women are precluded from certain necessary activities, like touching nets or going on boats. Also, sometimes the expeditions are at night, where it is more difficult to attend.

We visited IISD Experimental Lakes Area and had such a great time.

One of the highlights was a water ceremony conducted by a First Nations Elder at the site to protect the lake and prepare it for some upcoming research. We were really excited to take part and learn more.

There is actually an island in Lake Malawi/Niassa/Nyasa called Mbenji Island where ceremonies are conducted to protect bodies of water--women aren't allowed on the island so we have never seen it and can't tell you more!