Challenging Traditional Gender Roles – Women Empowerment through Ornamental Fish Farming

Abstract

In the contemporary world, ornamental fisheries /aquaculture is gaining much popularity; in fact, globally it is a trading and marketing industry rather than a hobby. Earlier days, ornamental aquaculture in India was just a hobby for people. Slowly the hobby got momentum to be a viable business as it boomed with trade values internationally. India has enormous potential to be one of the top ornamental fish producing nations as it has huge in untapped or unexploited resources. Ornamental aquaculture can generate income and employment and has immense potential for the upliftment and empowerment of women. Women in fisheries is predominantly involved in post-harvest activities but inclusion of women in aquaculture will help in creating gender equalisation in the sector. Ornamental aquaculture has been tried and tested by several countries, states, and organisations in rural development and the progress of women in all walks of life through ornapreneurship.