Boats to abolish sex-for-fish trade in Kenya

Women groups in Kano, Kisumu County, Kenya have benefitted from boats under the 'No Sex for Fish' initiative. The boats will provide them with an opportunity to generate income without engaging in risky relationships. The six boats delivered by an NGO, US Peace Corps Kenya in Collaboration with VIRED International will help the women to expedite fishing activities in the Lake Victoria.

Delivering the boats at Nyamware beach on Wednesday, the Director of VIRED International Prof Okeyo Owuor who was accompanied by Peace Corp volunteer in Kenya Michael Guelfe and Kisumu East DC Mabeya Mogaka said the boats will help stop the sex-for-fish trade.



Owuor noted that this has led to an increase in HIV infections especially among the women living in the Lake region. "In a bid to help empower the women in the Lake region, my organization in collaboration with the US Peace Corps Kenya resolved to provide the vessels to the women to help reduce chances of female along the Lake region attracting HIV infections," he added.

Often, women may have relationships with random fishermen to acquire fish commodities for sale and profit in a risky affair, he added. He lamented that the women have no choice because very few of them own boats, which he noted is a key resource of the fishing trade, he said. He said VIRED will provide logistical arrangements to ensure sustainability of the process.