Skapandet av Jämställdhet och Social Hållbarhet inom Småskaligt Fiske – FAO SSF Guidelines Tidiga Implementeringsprocess i Chile

Abstract

The SSF Guidelines have been described as “the first internationally agreed instrument dedicated entirely to the immensely important ... small-scale fisheries” (FAO, 2015:v). What makes them unique is the fact that they, for the first time in the history of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), are integrating the human rights based approach within the small-scale fisheries sector which puts special emphasis on social issues such as achieving gender equality (B2:1). Chile as an FAO member state was a dedicated actor during the consultation process of the Guidelines, especially in pushing for the inclusion of the SSF Guidelines chapter 8 on gender equality. At the time of writing, almost 3.5 years after the Guidelines were accepted, this thesis seeks to analyse the results of the early implementation process in Chile, with special focus on the advances made on gender equality and social sustainability. Through the gender equality lens, program theory, “follow the policy” theory and implementation structures theory, this thesis will argue that there are barriers within the Chilean implementation process, which hinder the social aspects of the Guidelines from being implemented. One barrier, identified in the implementation process from the global level to the local context of Chile, regards the different expectations that stakeholders in Chile and the FAO have on the FAO’s role within the implementation process. Moreover, the understanding of gender equality does not seem to travel intact through the levels of implementation, as shown by the practical measures undertaken to achieve gender equality in Chile. Furthermore, within the local context, certain dynamics seem to be present that negatively affect the implementation process of the Guidelines. For instance, the Chilean small-scale fisheries sector is characterised by informal structures making communication with responsible authorities difficult. These barriers are essential to this thesis since they together interfere with the implementation process of the SSF Guidelines and especially the realisation of chapter 8 on gender equality. These barriers will further be outlined putting special focus on how they are affecting the creation of gender equality within the sector. This thesis will conclude by proposing measures that can be taken in overcoming these barriers.