In Tunisia, small-scale artisanal fishing is often practiced in areas far from the cities. Following surveys conducted as part of her work at the Agricultural Extension and Training Agency (AVFA) in coastal areas, Islem Ben Ayed says that a large proportion of artisanal fishers are very poorly informed about the social protection schemes available in the country. "Certainly, the existing models of contribution and reimbursement are not encouraging, but taking advantage of the few services offered remains a right ignored by these communities," she says. 

The AVFA regularly organizes awareness days for the benefit of artisanal fishers and women working in small-scale fishing in order to inform them of the importance of social protection and encourage them to join professional organizations. 

As a head of extension affairs department in fishing field within the AVFA, Islem Ben Ayed, with the help of her team, oversees several of these organizations and coordinates activities to improve their sustainable fishing techniques, develop their leadership and increase their income. She points out that outreach messages are most effective when fishers are organized into professional structures. Islem mentions the difficulties these fisherfolk face in managing their struggles, solving problems of availability of services and resources, and finding other opportunities for economic development.  The traditional culinary habits of these fishing communities are based on processed fishery products made by the women. "According to the artisanal fishers, women do not work, although they repair and make fishing gear, process fish products, work the fields, take care of the household and sometimes take the place of their husbands on the boat," concludes Islem Ben Ayed following interviews with fishers' wives. Women face several challenges: informal work, low income and lack of social protection. 

Islem Ben Ayed believes that it is essential to ensure the equal participation of women in economic life and to strengthen their role in the development of the fishing sector by adopting a structured approach that will empower them.