In Chad, fish processing and marketing are mainly carried out by women, who are increasingly forming socio-professional organisations to improve their working capacity. Fish is one of the most important commodities for the country’s food security.
 
Thus, the importance of this experience lies in the fact that the women fish processors in Yao have managed to learn hygiene practices, adopt sustainable technologies and develop entrepreneurial skills to improve their business. The women of the Istifac Union have managed to improve their production, working, organisational and living conditions, developing their financial autonomy and household food security, by boosting a nascent local enterprise with great potential for scaling up.
 
In particular, from the following case study based on the experience of the Istifac Union, it will be possible to: (i) learn about the hygiene and handling practices adopted; (ii) characterise the innovative technologies/equipment that have been introduced for fish processing; (iii) analyse the experience of Union Istifac as a rural micro enterprise; (iv) identify the particular impacts on women’s livelihoods at individual, family and community levels.