The government and its partners have launched the National African Women Fish Processors and Traders Network (AWFISHNET) in a bid to boost the income of women in local fish processing as well as intra-regional trade.

Speaking during the launch, the Director-General at the national Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Jackson Musa said the establishment of the AWFISHNET chapter will help women in the country link up with other women around the region for their advancement.

“We are grateful to launch a national women fish processors and traders network Chapter in the country. The establishment of this chapter will help women in the country to link up with other women around the region as well as the continent of Africa,” Musa stressed.

He said it would enable South Sudanese women to compete with the other neighboring countries in trading, adding that trading within the country will not make women grow better.

AWFISHNET and African Union presentative Ms. Lovin Kobushingye said the launch of AWFISHNET in South Sudan was one of the greatest achievements for the country’s women.

She described the establishment of the network as a milestone for the country and the whole region.

“The fish industry is one of the fastest-growing economic activities in Africa especially to women and the fish sector employs around 60 percent of women in fish processing and trading,’’ she said.

“As women play a critical role along the fisheries value chain in utilizing fishery resources not only for economic gains but also for nutritional and food security goals as well, there is high time for South Sudanese women to pick up and move forward,” Ms. Kobushingye stated.

She encouraged South Sudanese women in the fish processing and trade network to aim for more.

Regina Ossa Lullo, the Director-General in the national Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare expressed her happiness about the launch of the AWFISHNET saying it has been one of the mandates of the ministry to make sure women are empowered in business.

“It has been one of our activities which were going on, and we want to see that gender equality is achieved in the country and for all.

“So, we welcome the establishment of the new chapter,” she said.

“We believe this will empower our women economically through fish processing and marketing.”

According to the director-general, Lulla African Women Fish Processors and Traders Network’s general aims to contribute to improving the welfare, working conditions, and income for women in the fisheries sector within the member states of the African Union.