Conclusion The women fisherfolks of Iba, Zambales plays a crucial role in every link of the value chain in small-scale fisheries and community livelihood. Although their best-known roles are in processing and marketing of fish and other fishery products. Their contributions often go beyond post-harvest activities, such as pre-harvest operations (e.g. preparing nets, boats, capturing bait and fry). Many of women’s roles and contributions to the fishing sector has not been recognized and undervalued up to date, resulting in women remaining in a marginalized position and excluded from decision-making mechanisms. The necessary recognition of their role is important where appropriate support can be provided effectively through establishing organizations or government programs specifically to women fishefolks where facilitating and conducting proper trainings and proper recognition of their activities can directly affect women’s own perceptions about their work and take pride of and belongings, boosting their greater sense of collective self-worth. It has been noted that women fisherfolks lack knowledge of their rights as fisherfolks and gender-based violence cases or issues. Women fisherfolks and government service providers are lobbying for the establishment of an organization that focuses on the sector of women fisherfolks. By organizing themselves as fishery associations, women are able to gain more recognition and obtain support to improve their participation in decision making and improve their livelihood and financial situation. To conclude, most participants of the Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) recognized the importance of this activity. For example, the women fisherfolks participants described the FGD as a “learning and sharing opportunity,” while other participants expressed that this activity will be an eye opener for the government to hear their voices as a women fisherfolks. Page 13 of 17