NAFSO’s Mobilisation for Rights and Food Sovereignty

In Sri Lanka, NAFSO (National Fisheries Solidarity Movement) led strong mobilisation on fisher communities’ rights, women’s land and livelihood rights, and food sovereignty. Campaigns addressed equal wages for women, rights of women-headed households, and the marginalisation of fisherwomen in decision-making processes. NAFSO organised village, district, and national-level gatherings of women, media campaigns, and policy advocacy processes including engagement with the CEDAW mechanism. Women leaders from the Northern Province played a key role in resisting destructive bottom trawling practices by foreign trawlers, conducting media briefings to promote sustainable fishing and ecosystem protection. Major mobilisations included an International Women’s Day programme with 550 women leaders and youth representatives, and the commemoration of International Fisheries Day with more than 700 participants under the theme of ensuring food sovereignty and dignified lives for fishers. Policy briefings prepared in Sinhala and Tamil strengthened advocacy both at grassroots and national levels.