Empowering Women in Fishing Villages

Tanji, a small fishing village located on the Atlantic coast of The Gambia, and is one of the busiest coastal fisheries communities in the country. The village was originally a farming community, which turned to fishing with the arrival from Senegal of migrant fishermen and their families.

The fishermen, fish driers, fish smokers, fish sellers and processors in Tanji, have been successfully brought together through the establishment of Natangeh Credit Union, which has become a focal point for the entire community. Because of the migratory tendencies of fishermen, conventional financial institutions are unwilling to extend credit facilities to them. Lack of access to financial services has been a major constraint to the development of small scale fisheries in The Gambia.

Also, unfortunately women constitute the poorest segment of most fisheries communities worldwide. The gender inequity in access to and control over resources places women in a precarious situation. This prevents the expansion of their businesses and often leaves them poor and vulnerable. Yet women play a fundamental role as fish processors and traders while also engaging in activities that even if not related to fisheries are still essential in family and community development.

The relative social status of women in Tanji has been improved since women occupy key positions on its credit union Board of Directors which comprises of 6 females (including Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Treasurer) and 3 male members. The leadership role played by women in Natangeh Credit Union has improved their status, through active participation community decision-making processes. Women members are now financially independent; they can rely on their businesses and meet their needs and those of their families.

Mulump Faye's (credit union Chairperson) positive outlook exemplifies how important the local credit union really is:

'It is the norm for local communities to expect the Government to provide everything: boats, fishing gear, but in Tanji we don't need Government's help, we have our credit union'.

Access to savings and credit is contributing to food security and poverty reduction in the fishing community; raising incomes and improving people's quality of life.


Mrs. Fill Sarr, who has taken a loan from the credit union amounting to 1575.00 Gambian Dalais (€43) to start her own fish business.