Transforming Lives of Fisherwomen through Occupational Mobility & Empowerment in Coastal Kerala

Abstract

This paper examines the empowerment of fisherwomen in coastal Kerala who have transitioned from fisheries to alternative occupations. Using survey data from 309 respondents across Trivandrum, Kollam, and Alappuzha, and a four-dimensional empowerment framework—economic, personal, social, and political—the research reveals substantial improvements in all areas. Inter-sector occupational mobility drives more robust empowerment than intra-sector shifts, manifesting as better income stability, heightened self-confidence, greater social participation, and enhanced political engagement. Results from independent sample t-tests indicate statistically significant differences between groups. The analysis positions occupational mobility as a transformative force in fostering sustainable empowerment among marginalized coastal women