Tunisia Launches Program to Empower Women in the Fisheries Sector

Thursday, 02 October 2025

As part of efforts to support and empower women in the fisheries sector, the Tunisian Union of Agriculture and Fisheries (UTAP) organized a working session at its headquarters on October 2 to launch a continuous professional training program dedicated to women working in this vital field.
The session was chaired by Mr. Saleh Hdidar, Vice President of UTAP in charge of fisheries, and attended by key stakeholders including Ms. Zahra Naffaf, member of the National Executive Office responsible for rural women, along with representatives from the Ministries of Agriculture and Women, vocational training centers, the Agricultural Investment Promotion Agency, and the National Institute for Agricultural Pedagogy and Continuing Training in Sidi Thabet.
The initiative aims to approve a specialized training program in repairing and assembling fishing nets, targeting women in the sector, as part of a broader vision to enhance their professional skills and economic empowerment.
Participants emphasized the importance of professional organization within structured entities, as well as the need for strong coordination among stakeholders to ensure the program’s success.
The session also highlighted available financing mechanisms and tax incentives, particularly through the “Raedat” program and the Agricultural Investment Promotion Agency, to further support women’s participation in productive sectors.
This program comes within Tunisia’s national efforts to strengthen women’s roles in local and community development, especially in coastal areas, and to promote their contribution to the blue economy.