The Role of Informal Education in Fisher Women's Struggle for Survival in the Fish Market

Aim: Women fish vendors in Bihar, India, have extremely low literacy rates. In general, they have only received primary education, and some are illiterate. Their participation in the fish market, on the other hand, has received considerable attention. As a result, this study was carried out in the local fish market of Patna (Bihar), India to know about the literacy status of fisherfolks, particularly about the women fish vendors.

Study Design: To understand the status of the women fish vendors, as well as their expertise in selling and purchasing fish at the market, a well-structured questionnaire survey was used. An observation-based study was undertaken to assess skills for cutting fish, calculating the amount, and maintaining hygienic status.

Place and Duration: The study was carried out at random during the day and evening hours in various fish markets of Patna, which included local government-sanctioned, and street fish markets for the duration of two years i.e. the years 2021 & 2022.

Methodology: A survey-based study was conducted, with questionnaires covering criteria such as education level, age group, experience, family pattern, gender-based engagement in day-to-day activities linked to fish marketing, and common challenges experienced by women fish vendors. More than 100 fisherfolks (men and women) have been interviewed.

Results: The majority of women fish vendors were either in the local market, street vendors, or door-to-door fish vendors and very few were present in the stock market. During the study, it was also observed that when buying and selling fish, the women fish vendors negotiated confidently. They had precisely calculated the amount, down to a fraction of a fish's weight.

Conclusion: Women were far more determined than men when it came to selling fish. They were also using cutting-edge technology to weigh the fish. They were able to read the digital tools. These female fish sellers were mostly between the ages of 35 and 65. As a result, they were mostly at ease when it came to dealing with stockists and customers.