At Friends of the Nation (FoN), we recognize that small-scale fisheries are not just about catching fish; they are about sustaining livelihoods, preserving culture, and ensuring food security for millions of people in coastal communities. Yet, small-scale fishers and fish workers often face significant challenges, including unsafe working conditions, low incomes, lack of access to social protection, and limited recognition of their rights. Women fishers, in particular, are frequently excluded from decision-making spaces and denied equal opportunities, even though they play vital roles in post-harvest processing, trading, and sustaining household economies.
FoN advocates for gender equity, labor rights, and social protection as essential pillars for building just and sustainable fisheries. We work with communities, government agencies, and international partners to:
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Promote Gender Equity: Ensuring that women and men have equal access to resources, leadership roles, and economic opportunities in the fisheries sector.
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Protect Labor Rights: Supporting fair treatment, safe working conditions, and decent wages for fishers and fish workers, in line with international labor standards.
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Advance Social Protection: Advocating for policies and systems that safeguard fishers and their families against risks such as poverty, accidents at sea, and climate-related shocks.
Our Commitment
Friends of the Nation is committed to amplifying the voices of small-scale fishers, particularly women, youth, and other vulnerable groups. We believe that true sustainability in fisheries cannot be achieved without fairness, equity, and justice for the people whose lives and livelihoods depend on the ocean. Through research, advocacy, and grassroots mobilization, we will continue to stand with fishing communities to demand inclusive policies, equitable resource management, and stronger protections for workers.
Call to Action
We invite you to join us in this mission. Whether as a community ally, policy advocate, or supporter, your voice and contribution matter. Together, we can build a fisheries sector that is fair, inclusive, and resilient—where every fisher and fish worker is treated with dignity.
👉 Partner with us, support our initiatives, and stand for justice in small-scale fisheries. 