Empowering Fishing Women to Capitalise on Networks
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Empowering Fishing Women To Capitalise on Networks. Project No 1999/356 Principal Investigator June Gill ISBN: 0957758723 1 Acknowledgements: This valuable document is the result of the contributions made before, during and after by existing WIN members, Survey and Conference participants. Their commitment in time, and resources has been invaluable. WIN would like to express it's thanks to WIN members who provided logistic and administrative support for the conference. Also an expression of thanks to the following individuals Hon. Caroline Schaefer M.L.C WIN patron. Ms Debra Roberts, W.I.N Project Officer, for the many hours of personal contact and meetings to formulate a national database of a whole of industry approach for women in fishing. Dr. Heather Aslin, Trevor Webb and Melanie Fisher, from Bureau of Rural Science of their comprehensive reporting of the National Survey. "Fishing for Women." and the working partnership which has been developed by this project. Ms Cheryl Phillips, Changing Communities Pty. Ltd, for her work on the project "Capitalising on the Talents of Women in the South Australian Fishing Industry" and her extended work on this project. Her skills and knowledge in facilitation of the national conference were apart of the success of the conference. Ms Lib McClure, Manager Rural Affairs Unit of PIRSA, for her continued support and encouragement in unleashing the "invisible partners" of the SA fishing industry. Ms Lorraine Rosenberg, SAFIC General Manager, for her time and efforts in the role as regional training facilitator and co-development of the "Meeting Procedure" manual. Conference Guest Speaker: Dr. Diana Day Conference presentations: Georgina Eliason, Ruth Patersen, Barbara Radley, Cheryl Phillips, Tracy Hill, Workshop leaders; Cate Bell, Jayne Gallagher, Sandy Boswell, Lynda Pierce, Elaine Burn. Special Thanks to key national conference panelists: Ms Sue Richards: Director of Women in Rural Industries Section of AFFA., also referee for the national survey. Mr. Nigel Scullion: Chair of ASIC. Mr. Peter Dundas-Smith: Executive Director of FRDC. The project was funded by: Fisheries Research and Development Corporation. (FRDC) Proudly Supported by: AFFA: Agriculture Fisheries Forestry Australia. ASIC: Australian Seafood Industry Council. BRS: Bureau of Rural Sciences. SAFIC: South Australian Fishing Industry Council. PIRSA: Primary Industries and Resources South Australia. SARDI: South Australian Research and Development Institute Telstra Satcom-C 2 Table of Contents: Pages 1. Non Technical Summary 4-7 2. Background 8-9 3. Need 10 4. Aims 11 5. Methods 12-17 6. Results. 18-27 7. Benefits 28-29 8. Further development 30-33 9. Conclusion 34-35 10. References 36 11. Appendices Appendix 1 37 Intellectual Property Appendix2 38 Conducting Meetings Appendix 3 39 Fishing For Women Survey Appendix 4 40 Empowering Fishing Women to Capitalise on Networks National conference Appendix 5 41 National Caretaker Board 1999/2000 Appendix 6 42 Conference participants 3 NON TECHNICAL SUMMARY 1999/356 Empowering Fishing Women to Capitalise on Networks. Principal Investigator: Mrs. June Gill Address: Chairperson Women’s Industry Network PO Box 137 MAITLAND SA 5573 Telephone: 08 88342016 Fax: 08 88342004 Email: jgill@yp-connect.net OBJECTIVES: To add to and strengthen the existing role of WIN in promoting awareness of the roles of women of the fishing industry. To increase the opportunities for women to participate in the decision-making process of their industry. To facilitate the collection and dissemination of information to women within the fishing industry. To build on existing networks such as Women's Industry. Network (SA) and the Seafood Industry. Network (NSW) with a view to developing a national focus for women in the fishing industry. NON TECHNICAL SUMMARY The Women's Industry Network in South Australia instigated a pioneering project to be undertaken which was divided into the following stages. Stage One A: Ten South Australian W.I.N regional delegates attended a training workshop on "Meeting Roles & Procedures" held in Adelaide in March 1999. Stage One B: The Bureau of Rural Sciences and Women in Rural Industries section of A.F.F.A. with support from SA W.I.N. designed and developed a questionnaire/survey “Understanding the Roles of Fishing Women”. The survey sampled the population of women in the fishing industry across Australia. Stage Two: WIN SA hosted a two-day national conference in Adelaide. Forty-two seafood women participants attended. OUTCOMES: The Women's Industry Network instigated a pioneering project to be undertaken which was divided into the following stages. Stage One A: Ten South Australian WIN regional delegates requested and attended a training workshop on Meeting Roles & Procedures held in Adelaide in March 1999. Stage One B: The Bureau of Rural Sciences and Women in Rural Industries section of AFFA with support from WIN in South Australia developed the survey Understanding the Roles of Fishing Women. the survey sampled the population of women in the fishing industry across Australia. Stage Two: WIN in South Australia hosted the inaugural two-day national conference in Adelaide in December 1999. Forty two women in fishing attended the conference and these participants developed and agreed upon 4 the formulation of a national body to carry out their vision. Network members influence decision-making to ensure a profitable, dynamic, secure, innovative and sustainable industry - an industry which is proactive and responsive to the needs of the industry and community. Outcomes Achieved: A result of the training workshop the production of an information booklet to support regional WIN women in conducting meetings and performing committee roles was developed to act as a resource tool for these women. The Fishing for Women study resulted in producing a research study of the current situation of the role of women in fishing across Australia. It identified areas of the industry which women wanted more input and action taken. The survey data was used to develop the two day national conference. The survey also recommended further studies be undertaken with women of the Australian fishing industry focussing on "grassroots" women. The conference participants re enforced the findings of the Fishing for Women study and participants developed and agreed upon the formulation of a national body to carry out their vision. An acting board was given the task to fulfil the vision. The conference learnings from other women in rural industries was the need for: Networking and support to reduce isolation. Understanding the big picture issues and there relevance to local fishing communities. Personal and professional development of members to increase their level of decision-making capability. The fishing industry issues identified were; Leadership, Embrace diversity at all levels, Training Quality Assurance & food safety and Workplace environment issues Conference Workshop Outcomes: 1.Leadership workshop: Take the initiative. Establish a national data base to increase information dissemination and networking opportunities. Establish an email discussion group to increase communication and networking opportunities. Lobby industry bodies to direct information to women as well as men. 2.Embracing Diversity: Vision: The first step is to gain acknowledgement Identify the common ground and work from there. Provide education to all stakeholders in relation to the issue of embracing diversity. Establish networks to provide mentoring, access to information and skill development. Accept that there is much work to be done--establish goals around a range of issues and form task groups to work on each one. Document the stories of individuals and use them to promote the fishing industry and in particular the role of women. Lobby for a change in the industry voting system to ensure women can participate equally. Create a learning culture with a range of opportunities for skill development. 3.Training and Skill Development: Women can be proactive in establishing and maintaining good communication links with all industry stakeholders- sharing the information in relation to training when it is available. Access funding for needed training programs. Lobby for equal access to training across sectors, genders, and geographics. Membership of Fishing management committees will be sought to enhance knowledge, skill 5 and contacts. 4.Quality Assurance and Food Safety: There is a need to: Identify the hazards through out the chain. Identify the risks through out the chain. Manage the hazards and risks. The market place is the key to change. It can influence all steps in the chain. Use sufficient quality and quantities of ice. Invest in quality products and processes and see it as an investment in your future. Educate all parts of the chain. Recall procedures will impact the blame/risk on the last identifiable step in the chain. Keep your documentation up to date and accurate. 5.Workplace Environment: That women have a CHOICE as to their involvement. Change the patriarchal model. Education of both genders required to facilitate change and acceptance. Direct Action To Achieve Ideal. Funding for education. Specific Role of Women: Development of self esteem. Mentoring. Conference Resolutions: Establish a steering committee which is representative, both by sector and geography. Apply for seed funding from Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry Australia to assist with administering and further developing Women's Industry Network a Seafood Community.