The Water-Energy-Food Nexus // Women’s Lens for Fisheries Security
By Marieta Baňez Sumagaysay. The water-energy-food (WEF) nexus, in an environment of increasing climate variability, is one lens which stakeholders must develop and embrace. Changes in the climate are intensifying the pressures on natural resources on which food production is primarily dependent. An increasing population further impacts on the ecosystem. The challenge is mounting on the fish drying food chain in Brgy Duljugan in Palompon, Leyte, Philippines. Heightening the women fish driers’ awareness about the nexus and strengthening their roles within the nexus are crucial towards attaining sustainable and resilient livelihoods. Likewise, policymakers’ appreciation of the WEF nexus is necessary as a basis for crafting integrated policies on climate, environment, and socio-economics.
Women fish dryers need to close the knowledge gaps in the WEF nexus. Fish drying is an energy-intensive production activity, yet the women whose lives revolve around fish drying are in energy-deficient coastal communities. Today, the method of dried fish production is highly dependent on the sun. Clean water supplies are inadequate. Incomes are not maximized due to the impact of climate variability on water and energy. It is imperative, therefore, to seriously consider wastewater management before wells dry up. Moreover, spoilage of fish that cannot be dried due to the unpredictable rains must be reduced by providing alternative gender-responsive technologies and/or common service facilities that will enable women fish dryers to benefit.
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Asian Fisheries Society website (open access)
Published
December 2017