IOSH
Ripples of hope – fishmonger women
Lake Victoria, Kenya
These women process fish, which puts them in the middle of a value chain. It also puts them at risk of significant harm. And when they can’t work, they have no income. So, we’re supporting Commonwealth Business Women Africa to make positive changes to these women’s working lives. This includes implementing safety measures in the workplace and introducing alternative ways to earn an income.
Why this project
The fishmonger women work long hours – but reap little reward.
They buy fish from men, process it, and then sell it on to end consumers via male agents.
Handling the fish can cause them significant harm, such as sickness from fish spike injuries to hands and feet, fish waste and smoke inhalation. Some also have eyesight problems because the scales can get into their eyes. And they don’t have money for healthcare.
It’s not just the women who are at risk, as they also need to bring their children to the workplace. The jikos (portable stoves) are open, and the children are at risk of falling into the fire or hot oil.
When the women can't work, they end up in a downward spiral. They are sexually exploited by fishermen and agents – the only way they can repay their debts. As a result, many women are HIV positive.
Project goals
These are based on the risk assessment recommendations for a safer and healthier working life for the fishmongers and include both short- and long-term targets. You can download the risk assessment at the bottom of this page.
Provide workers with the tools and facilities to conduct their work in a safe and healthy way.
“There’s a lady who was carrying her oil from the fire and she fell down with the oil. She got burnt: her face, her body. She’s still recovering. It’s been almost four months.”
Catherine Odongo
- Job role
- Fishmonger, frying unit
Who is involved
- Commonwealth Business Women Africa (CBW-Africa)
- Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC)
- Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services, Kenya
- Equity Bank
- Fishmonger women and quarry scavengers
- Government of Kenya
- IOSH consultants
- Local IOSH members
- Local sewing machine trainers and fish flies trainers
- Workplace Safety Professionals Association of Kenya
Progress so far
- Local occupational safety and health experts and IOSH members conducted an impartial risk assessment to assess the current conditions (November).
Get involved
We welcome your support in helping people stay safe at work. It can change the lives of the most vulnerable workers. Find out more about these projects and the work we are doing.