Female Economic Movement of Fishery Labor Family in Coastal Region

Abstract

Globalization and needs development have provided spaces for women to participate in an economic movement, including those women of fishery laborer families. They perform their roles in order to help the economy without any burden, like the so-called double burden, which is often associated with them since they have to both do households duties and earn money as well. Background and impetus of female economic movement among fishery labour families are the focus of this research. By applying qualitative technique using in-depth interview this study shows that women have a distinct power in a further empowerment of their families. Low education level of these women is not an obstacle in actualizing themselves in the public sectors. In fact, this economic movement had been socialized to them even when they were children. While these women are traditionally restricted within domestic space, they have proved to be a saviour in their families by fulfilling the families’ basic needs, which are often not provided by their husbands. In fact these female fishery workers in Indramayu are the breadwinners for their families. However, the social construct is not fair to them as the society views them merely as freelance workers.