Difficult but fulfilling: women’s lived experiences as leaders in fisherfolk organizations in Bolinao, Philippines

Abstract

This qualitative study explores the experiences of women as leaders in fisherfolk organizations in Bolinao, Philippines. It aims to contribute to the ‘women do participate and lead’ discourse by providing a better understanding of women’s constructions of their participation as leaders in these traditionally male-dominated organizations. Eight women, who have continuously held leadership posts in local fisherfolk organizations for at least 10 years, served as key informants. Guided by Schultz's phenomenological-sociology and Attride-Stirling’s thematic network analysis, the study revealed that the women’s core construction of their experiences was ‘difficult but fulfilling.’ This core construction emerged from three organizing themes: empowerment, motivations, and challenges. Three basic themes comprised empowerment: finding one’s voice, sense of self-worth, and sense of achievement. Three basic themes also comprised motivations: solidarity, access to opportunities and benefits, and commitment. Two basic themes comprised challenges: family-level and organizational-level challenges. The study also found that women are not passive actors but active participants exercising their agency. However, their agency is still limited by their gender roles, particularly the caring responsibilities assigned to them.

Keywords:

• Women
• fisheries
• leadership

Acknowledgments

The researcher would like to thank the officers of KAISAKA and the eight women leaders of Bolinao who shared their stories. The researcher also expresses her thanks to Ms. Alice Prieto-Carolino, for her invaluable feedback and insights.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sheila Marie M. Dasig

Sheila Marie M. Dasig is the unit head of the Research Information Management and Communications Unit at the Research and Innovation Management Office of Lyceum-Northwestern University in Dagupan City, Pangasinan, Philippines. Her research interests include gender and the environment, social science education and qualitative research methodologies.