Our fish-processing cooperative has empowered women and earned them recognition and safety

Senegalese native Yaye Coumba Seck is a 56-year-old fish processor and mother of three boys and three girls. Yaye was introduced to fish processing at a young age, as she watched her mother work as a fish processor and helped her during school breaks. Though she trained to become a computer scientist, Yaye faced debilitating harassment while searching for a job and was forced to choose another path, one that allowed her to be independent. Thus, she selected fish processing, with her years of experience.

In an ILO article, Yaye shares her experience with the world. She says that, in her native country of Senegal, many women live through similar situations but remain silent. Yaye accredits this to the socio-cultural norms of Senegal, which refrain women from speaking about certain issues, exacerbating womens’ suffering.

Because of these barriers, Yaye had to work twice as hard to establish her own path. When she first started out in the fish processing industry, women were not heavily involved. Instead, they were fishermen’s wives and processed the leftovers that men brought back from the sea. Even then, the fish were for personal consumption; it was not a profitable activity.

To develop their business and increase income, women fish processors formed an Economic Interest Group and joined the National Federation of Fishing of Senegal. There were several women involved, too many that there was not enough equipment for all of them. So, they utilized traditional methods.

It was then that the ILO project stepped in with strong support for formalization. With the starting union comprising of 150 women, the cooperative was formed, initially with just 30 members.

The project allowed women like Yaye to assess their activities; with climate change and overexploitation came the rapid decline of fish and raw materials.

Because of these challenges, the ILO project introduced alternative activities, including soap and bleach production and composing fish-processing waste, allowing the women to generate additional income.

The group also received training on preventing violence and harassment against women, playing an active role in raising awareness for the ratification of ILO Convention 190. They have become ambassadors to the movement. “I encourage women to speak out against those who commit harassment and violence against women and girls,” Yaye told ILO.

The cooperative has tremendously helped women gain recognition in society: through positive behavior changes, personal development, and significant increases in their income.

“…this project has opened our eyes and allowed us to deepen our thinking about the activities we need to carry out and the behavioral changes required,” says Yaye.

Though the cooperative remains small, several women have expressed intention in joining, hearing of the potential the ILO has helped unlock for hundreds of women.

Since joining the ILO’s efforts, Yaye has represented Senegal at international fish conferences, including one in Iceland, supported student researchers, and created jobs for men, women and youth in her community.

Looking ahead, Yaye has plans to encourage young people to become future leaders.

“To young people, my message is: believe in yourself, trust your skills, surround yourself with those who uplift you, and never abandon your dreams.”

For more information, visit ILO.