A live webinar on "From Words to Action: Using the SSF Guidelines and Human Rights for Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries" as part of the Small is Bountiful panel on 8 June.
Date: Monday, 8 June 2020
Time: 20:00 (UTC+8)
Lead organizations: FAO, ICSF
Supporting organizations: DIHR, TBTI, WorldFish, IPC Fisheries Working Group/SSF-GSF Advisory Group
Watch the recording:
The SSF Guidelines took a holistic view on governance and development in the SSF sector and included specific sections and recommendations on governance of tenure and resource management; social development, employment and decent work; and value chains, postharvest and trade.
Moreover, special attention was given to gender equality and disaster risks and climate change. The SSF Guidelines are underpinned by human rights and are to be interpreted and implemented in accordance with these standards and by using a human rights-based approach (HRBA).
This approach sought to ensure the participation of SSF communities in non-discriminatory, transparent and accountable decision-making processes by putting particular emphasis on the needs of vulnerable and marginalized groups and on gender equality.
This panel discussed experiences of SSF Guidelines implementation referring to their key thematic areas and reflecting on how HRBA has been applied and how actions in support of the SSF Guidelines can advance the realization of human rights.
Key discussion points:
- Building capacity based on trust: with strong instruments such as the SSF Guidelines and SDGs, developing a capacity building that is based on trust can be achieved by appreciating capacities of communities and building awareness of what the instruments are and what they bring to the table;
- Inclusive disaster risk management: an example of a more inclusive disaster risk management in the Caribbean can be found in the activities following hurricane Maria, where fishers have been involved in the assessment and were looking at ways to move forward; and
- Predicting impact of COVID-19 on the implementation of the SSF Guidelines and human rights for SSF: this it not easy, as the impacts are still being played out. What is evident is that SSF have been able to benefit from the difficulties that affected global value chains and some are able to supply local consumers with fish via direct sales. Also, traditional means of processing fish have advantages over the sale of fish. SSF can use the SSF Guidelines to argue that they are eligible for support as essential workers and to access different funds.
Some take-home messages:
- Knowing ones’ rights: there is an increased recognition of the importance of SSF and of the use of HRBA. However, more is required to ensure those working in SSF know their rights and that there are mechanisms for the realization of these rights;
- Ensuring proper engagement: special attention needs to be given to avoiding discrimination and ensuring participation of SSF, particularly of vulnerable groups, indigenous peoples, women, and youth in value chains, disaster risk planning, climate change adaptation, and research collaboration; and
- A powerful tool to put into use: the SSF Guidelines are a powerful tool that should be used by SSF actors to claim their rights, in general and in specific contexts, such as the COVID-19 pandemic with regard to access to health, social services, work, markets, among others.