ABSTRACT
An estimated 34 million Indonesians are dependent on the fisheries sector for their livelihood in a nation with over 17.500 islands and a total coastal length of 95.991 Km. One important aspect of the lives of artisanal fisherman is gender equality and the role of the woman in fishing and fish processing. Indonesian Government initiatives like Kartu Nelayan (Fisherman Identity Cards) have barely improved the participation, capacity building, development, and welfare of these women who are wives of the fisherman. This paper explores the viability of organizing women into a co-operative to achieve greater gender equality and participation. The paper investigates the grassroot support for such a co-operative to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 5 (equality in gender) and Goal 1 (end of poverty). The research uses both primary and secondary sources; and in particular responses to a questionnaire employing a 5-point Likert Scale conducted in Tegal and Wonogiri, Central Java, Indonesia. It was found that the women overwhelmingly supported the establishment of a co-operative in their areas. The paper makes practical recommendations for the realization of this business model. This research can also serve as a starting point for women in other fishing communities throughout the world to achieve full and effective participation and contribution in the economic lives of their families.