Photovoice: documenting lives in aquaculture and fisheries through a gendered photo lens

Abstract

Photovoice is a research approach in which participants use photography to tell stories of issues important to them. Is Photovoice a suitable feminist research method for gender in fisheries and aquaculture? Literature on feminist research methodologies was reviewed to establish four criteria, namely, does Photovoice: (1) embody feminist research approaches? (2) use safe methods and sharing of results? (3) enable inclusion and empowerment for women? (4) reach decision makers as a potential vehicle for change? Forty articles on Photovoice based research were assessed for their relevance to the four criteria and 24 of these selected for detailed review. The evidence is that Photovoice can engage and empower women – as researchers - to gain insights into their own worlds, widen their community networks, reflect on current reality, and portray through photos and explanations what would be a preferred better reality. It also provides the primary researcher an ‘inside looking out’ perspective. Photovoice methods are aligned with feminist research approaches because they consider ethical issues to safeguard and potentially empower participants. Participants can gain empowerment by accessing decision makers who are normally beyond their reach, although action and change is not guaranteed. In developed, and developing countries, where the majority of women are employed, Photovoice research is applicable to fisheries and aquaculture.