Overview:

The African Development Trust (ADT) successfully trained 20 Somali women in net mending and making, thereby promoting sustainable fishing practices and creating economic opportunities for vulnerable communities.   

The Challenge:

Coastal communities in Somalia faced challenges with maintaining and replacing costly fishing nets, while women were excluded from economic activities in the fishing industry.   

The Solution:

The project provided comprehensive training to 20 women in net mending and making, equipping them with essential skills to participate in the fishing economy.   

Why this matters:

This initiative not only addressed the shortage of fishing nets but also empowered women by equipping them with valuable skills and creating income-generating opportunities.   

Main outputs and achievements:

The project successfully trained 20 women in net mending and making through theoretical and practical sessions. The women gained expertise in crafting various types of fishnets, including those for sharks and lobsters. This initiative not only equipped women with technical skills but also addressed the local shortage of fishing nets. The women produced 21 fishnets during the training, and they now have the capacity to produce 20 fishnets monthly, ensuring a sustainable solution to the ongoing demand. This project has not only enhanced women’s skills and knowledge but also improved their financial income and reduced the cost of fishing nets by 60%.   

Support the project:

Potential partners could support ADT by providing funding to scale up the project, enabling the training of more women in net mending and making, and extending the initiative to other coastal communities in Somalia facing similar challenges with fishing net maintenance and replacement. Funding could also be used to support the women in establishing their own net-making businesses, providing them with the resources to purchase equipment and materials, and facilitating access to markets for their products.

Lessons learned:

Key Lessons learned from the project include the importance of integrating environmental education into the training to increase awareness about sustainable fishing practices. The project also highlighted the potential of social media to amplify community efforts and expand the reach of the project. Finally, the project demonstrated the value of providing skills beyond the immediate training, enabling participants to explore diverse income-generating opportunities.