Building a safety net for Cabo Verde’s peixeiras: the story of Carla Ramos and a path towards more inclusive social protection
Mindelo - In Cabo Verde, more than 1 500 women known as peixeiras, work daily to sell fish, sustaining their families and feeding their communities. They are resilient women who face multiple challenges to keep alive an activity that is vital for the country's food security.
Carla Ramos, 35, is one of them. Born in Mindelo, on the island of São Vicente, she started selling fish at the age of 17 when her mother, forced by illness, had to retire. Since then, Carla has carried on the family tradition.
“Although I love my job, I want a different future for my daughters. Day-to-day life has become increasingly difficult, and I don’t want them to have to face the same challenges I face today,” says Carla, mother of three daughters aged 19, 12 and 7.
Daily struggles and growing pressures
The work of a peixeira requires constant adaptation. The availability of fish dictates where to buy, and competition forces Carla to negotiate daily to ensure her livelihood.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic introduced new challenges. Health regulations forced many peixeiras to conducts their businesson the streets, exposing them to increased instability and confrontations tensions with inspectors. This precarious situation has exacerbated by ongoing renovation works at the local fish market.
“The difficulties in selling fresh fish directly affect my rent. Even though I have storage boxes, the fish loses value when it is not sold fresh, and this compromises profits,” she explains.
Barriers to support and inclusion
Carla’s challenges are shared by many in her trade. A lack of targeted financing and limited awareness and access to information on social protection mechanisms only worsen the situation. For many, informality remains the only option, leaving them vulnerable to economic crises, climate change and other shocks.
These obstacles go beyond fish sales. Low levels of educational attainment limited digital literacy, and lack of awareness about their rights and available services form major barriers.
“Many do not know how and where to look for information” explains Ana Paula Rosa of the National Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture (NDFA). “Informality limits access to credit, training and health services. Peixeiras need targeted support that takes their reality into account,” adds her colleague Sandra da Graça.
Training, empowerment, and progress
Change began for Carla when she joined the Mindelo Peixeiras Association (APM). Through the APM, she received training in conservation, food hygiene, and product transformation. These skills allow her to add value to her products and diversify her offering, positively impacting her income.
She also formalized her business, opening a small company and joining the Special Regime for Micro and Small Enterprises (known in Portuguese as Regime Especial das Micro e Pequenas Empresas – REMPE), enabling her to join and contribute to the national social security scheme at a reduced rate.
“The benefits of social protection are not limited to me. The medical and drug assistance also extends to my daughters. And I know that in the future I will have access to my pension. This gives me a certain peace of mind,” she says.
A broader movement for change
To support women and stories like Carla’s, FAO is working with national partners to strengthen social protection for small-scale fishers and fishworkers.
One key initiative is the creation of a national registry of fishers and fishworkers. This aims to simplify access to public programmes and tailor services to the specific realities of the sector.
“In the short and medium term, we believe that these actions can transform the reality of peixeiras. By guaranteeing access to social protection - health, retirement and support in vulnerable situations, we will be taking a decisive step towards improving the quality of life of these women and their families,” conclude technicians Ana Rosa and Sandra da Graça.
These efforts reflect the principles set out in the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries, particularly Chapter 6, which calls for improved social development, employment and access to social protection for small-scale fishers and fish workers. By promoting registration, legal recognition and targeted support, Cabo Verde is taking concrete steps to put these principles into practice, helping to strengthen the resilience and dignity of peixeiras and other fish workers across the country.
National Fisherwomen's Day
Since 2024, Cabo Verde has been celebrating National Peixeira’s Day on May 17th, a symbolic recognition of their vital role in the fishing value chain and food security.
For Carla, the day carries deep meaning.
“Being a fisherwoman was once a stereotype loaded with prejudice. Today, this recognition is a source of pride. We, peixeiras, are responsible for ensuring fresh fish in the homes of all Cape Verdean families.”
Carla Ramos' story symbolizes the strength, dedication and hope of hundreds of peixeiras in Cabo Verde. Through targeted support, training, and access to social protection, these women are not only surviving, but they are also building a path toward dignity, stability, and lasting change.