AKTEA is the European network of fisherwomen’s organisations, working collectively to gain recognition for women’s roles in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors and to ensure their access to decision-making processes at European and national levels.
Background
AKTEA is the result of a three-year program of exchanges of experiences between fisherwomen from different EU Member States on their contributions to fisheries and aquaculture. These exchanges focused on the role of women in both the private sphere (fisheries enterprises) and the public sphere (organisations and collective actions). Following this impactful experience, a number of women’s organisations decided to maintain this transnational dynamic by establishing AKTEA to continue their action. In 2006, the AKTEA network was officially set up in Ancona, Italy. The name AKTEA derives from the Goddess of Hellenic mythology symbolising the shore, which is the spring of the fisheries-based livelihood for European women in Small Scale Fisheries (SSF). This name choice reflects the deep connection between women and coastal communities in Europe’s fishing industry.
AKTEA’s formation and continued existence represent a significant step in recognising and amplifying the voices of women in the European fishing sector. It provides a platform for sharing experiences, advocating for rights, and promoting the visibility of women’s crucial roles in fisheries and aquaculture across Europe.
Key Objectives
Since its inception, AKTEA has been acting at European and national levels to:
- Gain recognition for the role of women in fisheries and aquaculture
- Achieve gender equality in these sectors
- Secure access for women to decision-making processes within: Fisheries management at EU level (Advisory Councils), National fishers’ organisations
- Improve access to vocational training for women in the sector
- Defend small-scale fisheries and fishing communities
Activities
AKTEA aims to:
- Make the role of women in fisheries visible and recognised
- Ensure employment statistics in fisheries reflect gender
- Enhance the visibility of coastal and inland fishing communities and women’s contributions
- Facilitate greater exchange of experiences and sharing of knowledge among women in the sector
Membership and Partnership
AKTEA’s members are independent organisations acting at national or regional levels, representing:
- Wives of fishermen carrying out tasks linked to fisheries enterprises (e.g., selling fish, administration)
- Fisherwomen
- Shellfish gatherers
- Net menders
AKTEA works in partnership with the Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE). This alliance recognises the vital yet often invisible role that women play in fisheries and aims to strengthen the voice of women in European fishing communities.
Contact Information
For more information about AKTEA or to get involved:
- Website: https://akteaplatform.eu/
AKTEA continues to work towards improving the recognition and conditions for women in Europe’s fisheries and aquaculture sectors, embodying their motto “We are fishers, We are women.”