This paper traces the sequence of events leading to the involvement of the Asian Fisheries Society and ICLARM The World Fish Center, in the Women in Fisheries program and to the move towards Gender and Fisheries initiatives. Some gender issues besetting the fisheries sector highlighted in the paper include: poverty; division of household labor; health; access to education and other rights; organizational culture; and raising awareness and sharing knowledge. The lack of unbiased gender data on the role and contributions of men and women may hinder the actions taken to address critical problem areas identified in the Beijing Platform for Action. Research and research organizations have a role to play in guiding the actions towards addressing issues of basic human rights for women, and issues of gender inequity.