International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

author(s)
Sayantan Das, Bhalachandra Naik, Vijendra Kumar, Shubham Soni, Swadesh Prakash, Vinod K Yadav, Ram Kurmi and Arpita Sharma

abstract
Women play a crucial role in the fisheries sector and are actively engaged in the processing sector at fish landing centres and companies in the organized and unorganized sectors. A study was conducted to evaluate the socio-economic status of women fish workers in Mumbai, Maharashtra. A total of thirty women were interviewed and data were collected on various variables such as age, religion, education, marital status, number of children, type of house, drinking water and sanitation facility, monthly income, savings, monthly expenditure, etc. The study revealed that all women fish workers were Muslims and resided in rented accommodations, specifically shanties and slums in the Dana Bandar and Mankhurd areas of Mumbai. The majority of workers reported that they had migrated from the Murshidabad district in West Bengal around 20 years ago, primarily driven by the pursuit of income. The age group with the highest percentage was 41-50 years old (30%) and 43.33% of them had primary education whereas 66.66% were school dropouts. Household heads were men, 30% had three children and 26.67% had four children. The mean monthly income of women workers was ?. 9,167 and the range was ?. 8,147 to 10,187. In terms of expenditure, 73.33% had monthly household expenses ranging from ?. 6,686 to 9,346. Only 23.33% of women workers had savings in the bank, while the majority (76.66%) had no savings. Women also reported occupational injuries, such as cut in the hands, shoulder pain and neck pain. Cut in hands resulted in reduced speed of peeling and reduced income. None of the women workers had received any training programmes in any field. The findings suggest a need for targeted interventions, including skill development programmes and alternative livelihoods.