A New Breath for the Women of Néma Bah

Women fish processors in Senegal face systematic barriers to land access and rights. Without secure tenure, investing in better tools or infrastructure is impossible—you can’t build on land you don’t control. Through CAOPA, the women of Néma Bah changed this. They secured title and deed to the coastal lands and waters where they work. With tenure security established, they’re now leading their own improvements—better working conditions, higher-value products, and self-organized access to markets. Their success is spreading across Senegal and into Guinea Bissau and The Gambia, where women face the same tenure barriers. Securing land rights unlocks everything else.