The report concludes that empowering women in fisheries is both gender equality imperative and a strategic economic investment for development and transformation. Further, improving women’s inclusion across fisheries value chains can significantly contribute to sustainable development, poverty reduction, food security, and resilient Blue Economy growth within COMESA Member States. However, achieving this requires stronger evidence base capable of formally quantifying women’s contributions across fisheries and aquaculture systems, thereby enabling targeted investments and policy interventions.

The study further emphasizes that strengthening women’s economic participation aligns with continental and regional commitments, including the African Union Agenda 2063, the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), the Policy Framework and Reform Strategy (PFRS), the African Fisheries Reform Mechanism (AFRM), and the Africa Blue Economy Strategy (ABES).