Unlocking the Potential: Women Driving Sustainable Food Security in Lake Turkana's Fisheries, Kenya

Gender disparities persist in fisheries management, hindering the equitable development of the sector. This study explores the involvement of women in beach management units (BMUs) and fisheries activities in Lake Turkana, the world's largest desert lake, with implications for food security. Data from 200 respondents across eight pur-posively sampled BMUs were collected through questionnaires and analyzed using statistical methods. While women's representation in BMUs aligns with Kenya's one-third gender policy, they hold only 25% of executive positions, indicating leadership disparities. Women play a substantial role in fish processing and marketing within the fisheries value chain, contributing to food security. However, their opinions often go unrecognized, affecting their participation in decision-making. Factors influencing women's involvement in fisheries vary, with access to credit and fish markets being prominent. The study underscores the significance of enhancing women's engage-ment to ensure sustainable fisheries and improved nutrition in Kenya. Keywords: Co-management, Fisheries, Food security, Gender, Lake Turkana, Women