Thiruvananthapuram, India – The first-ever India Fisherwomen Assembly (IFA) 2024 is set to take place in Thiruvananthapuram on November 5th and 6th, 2024, marking a milestone for fisherwomen across India. The assembly will be hosted at the historic Fr. Thomas Kocherry Centre and Cheru Resmi Centre in Valiathura, a former home of the World Forum of Fisher Peoples (WFFP), the National Fishworkers Forum (NFF), and the Kerala Swatantra Matsyathozhilali Federation (KSMTF).
The IFA aims to unite women fishers from coastal and inland regions in what is being hailed as a landmark event for the fisher movement. The assembly comes after years of efforts to organize women in the sector, who have faced numerous challenges, including patriarchal barriers within the fishing community itself.
Organizers say the IFA will provide a platform to celebrate the identity and struggles of fisherwomen, who play a crucial role in pre- and post-fishing activities, direct fishing, and resisting industrial encroachments on fishing communities. Women fishers have long been at the forefront of fights for equal rights in fisheries, public transport, and workplace dignity, while leading movements against land acquisition, aquaculture, and environmental destruction.
The assembly will feature discussions on key issues facing fisherwomen, including the Blue Economy, Ocean Grabbing, the Climate Crisis, and Food Sovereignty. The event will also serve as a precursor to the WFFP 8th General Assembly, to be held in Brazil from November 14th to 21st, 2024, where Indian fisherwomen will represent the country on a global stage.
With a series of political conventions, cultural resistance celebrations, and a rally planned through Kerala’s capital, the India Fisherwomen Assembly 2024 promises to be a powerful statement of unity and resolve.
Event Details:
- Dates: November 5th and 6th, 2024
- Venue: Fr. Thomas Kocherry Centre & Cheru Resmi Centre, Valiathura, Thiruvananthapuram
- Key Themes: Blue Economy, Ocean Grabbing, Climate Crisis, Food Sovereignty
Fisherwomen, political leaders, and supporters of the movement are expected to attend, and organizers are encouraging solidarity groups and feminist organizations to participate.