For most of the Nordic countries fisheries and aquaculture are important economic sectors. The blue fields of the seas in the Nordic Region are however a sector traditionally male-dominated and statistics on gender ratio and female presence reveal gender-segregated labour market. The Nordic partners observe this gender imbalance in the sector as problematic on many levels. This motivates the project Laks og ligestilling, in identifying the need to uncover reasons for what contributes to the gender imbalance. This project analyses what hinders or promotes improved gender balance in fisheries and aquaculture in the Nordic Region.
The project aims to contribute to improved knowledge basis on equality questions in fisheries and aquaculture, and other new emerging blue economies across the Nordic countries. Parallelly it is to raise increased awareness of the need for more equal gender balance in the business and the recruitment of female skills. More specifically the project research output shall improve knowledge of which measures have proved effective in increasing gender equality within the sector.
On the basis of the comparative analysis, we aim to build a knowledge basis for useful competence and exchange of experience. Lastly, the result from the comparative research will be presented in policy recommendations on measures likely to increase recruitment of women both as owners and practitioners in the sector.
The project’s focus is to uncover active actions and measures that contribute to increased gender equality and more balanced representation of both males and females. Also to generate an overview of existing statistics on gender ration among employees and employers in the fisheries and aquaculture sector and to identify gaps across division of labour and strata within the sector.
Project Milestones
M1: Statistical collection and harmonization of data to make comparative – Value Chain analysis for Blue Bioeconomy from gender perspective – and stakeholder analysis as basis for outreach (October 2022-March 2023)
M2: Stakeholder Mapping and Engagement (Q1-Q3 2023)
M3: Analysis & Working paper prep (April – October 2023)
M4: Final Conference Tromsö (October/November 2023)
Steering group
Maja Lie Opdahl, Advisor, Norwegian Ministry of Culture and Equality
Marianne Berger Marjanovic, Nordic Council of Ministers
Katrín Vilhelm Poulsen, Nordic Council of Ministers, Blue Sector
Kristín Þóra Harðardóttir, Legal Advisor, Iceland Prime Ministry Department of Equality
Rógvi Reinert, Special Advisor, Faroese Ministry of Fisheries
