In the village of Nduru Beach, Kenya, an inspiring group of women has made a powerful statement against the detrimental exchange of sex for fish in the local fishing industry.
Known as the No Sex for Fish cooperative, this group of 20 female fishmongers has transformed their fate with perseverance and resilience, acquiring boats and hiring fishermen to provide for their families.
However, their triumphs are now shadowed by dire circumstances.
In the year 2025, the members of No Sex for Fish confront the legacy of devastating floods that have destroyed much of their village and significantly disrupted their fishing operations.
On top of the environmental challenges, the women are also grappling with new health concerns, particularly regarding access to anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs essential for managing HIV.
Justine Adhiambo Obura, the chairperson of the cooperative, remarks,
“Our members are surviving with grace,” highlighting their strength amidst adversity.
Among the women in the cooperative, Rebbeccah Atieno stands out as a significant example.
As a single mother of six, she has had to navigate displacement and economic upheaval after losing her home to the floods.
Currently, she resides in temporary accommodation borrowed from a neighbor, who expects her to find other shelter soon.
Despite the flooded landscape that has trapped them like an island, Atieno returns to her former village to buy fish for resale, incurring the cost of boat hire or wading through deep waters.
While scaling fish with a damaged knife, Atieno confides her mounting anxiety.
She initially believed her struggles revolved around displacement and making ends meet, but now she faces the pressing worry of whether she can access the medications that keep her healthy.
“They used to give me ARVs for up to six months, but that has currently reduced to only one month,” she explains, noting the additional burden of needing to travel more frequently for medication.
This situation adds even more pressure to her daily life as a working mother.
The concerns among the No Sex for Fish members are rooted in recent shifts in U.S. foreign aid policy under the Trump Administration.
While official statements assure that the supply of life-saving drugs will remain unaffected, Dr. Fredrick Oluoch, the director of public health in Kisumu County, reveals the impact of the funding cuts on the supply chain delivering these crucial medications.
This disruption stems from halting various USAID contracts that had covered ARV medications, creating delays in restoring adequate supply lines to clinics.
A source with previous experience in the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) program shared insights on the adverse effects of these cuts.
According to this source, the interruption could be traced to clinic closures and the loss of tens of thousands of healthcare jobs due to funding reduction, significantly affecting the ability to distribute HIV medications effectively.
The government has reassured the public about continuing drug distributions and has reinstated many of the healthcare workers but has not provided substantial information on how patients can regain access to a more considerable supply of medication at once.
During this time, anxiety and uncertainty loom large for those like Atieno who must now make more frequent trips to secure their health.
Erick Okioma, an HIV activist, reflecting on the situation, asserts,
“I am definitely worried because the quality of services is going to go down.”
The alarm over potential service degradation resonates, especially since Kenya achieved substantial success in reducing the number of new HIV infections in recent years.
The ongoing challenges faced by the women of No Sex for Fish are underscored by the memory of Rose Atieno Abongo, another member who tragically succumbed to AIDS last October.
Her family struggled financially as fish sales dwindled, leading to Rose’s inability to maintain her treatment regimen, a dire consequence of their economic instability.
Jack, her husband, now also living with HIV, recalls the devastation of watching his wife lose hope and eventually her life due to the lack of adequate healthcare support.
He shares his own fears about medication access for both himself and their teenage daughter, who also has HIV.
The anxiety surrounding future access to ARVs is echoed by Naomy Akoth, another cooperative member.
Having been displaced and struggling to earn a living, she fears the implications of potential costs for her HIV medications, even as the government currently pledges to keep them free.
Naomy, raising seven children, expresses the desire for government actions to avert a looming crisis.
Dr. Theresa Opiyo from Nyang’ande health facility shares the emotional toll of the current situation on her patients.
She recounts how educational programs aimed at reducing HIV transmission have been sidelined due to the cuts, ultimately impacting the community’s well-being.
In response to rising uncertainties, Justine Obura emphasizes the importance of mutual support within the cooperative.
Through their table banking initiative, members help one another with savings and loans, enabling vital financial assistance for healthcare transportation and other expenses.
Despite the floods that devastated their area, Obura has been proactive, purchasing land to cultivate vegetables, ensuring some financial stability for her family and the cooperative.
Alice Akinyi Amonde, the owner of one of the remaining functioning boats, recognizes the uncertain future but continues to provide support for those in need.
Yet, she too faces challenges with dwindling fish catches and insufficient income.
Amidst these struggles, the women remain resolute and continue to plan for a brighter future.
With hopes of securing funding for agricultural projects, they demonstrate remarkable fortitude.
As Rebbeccah Atieno sums up their spirits,
“We are living a daily nightmare. Hope is diminishing every day for our members. But we are still holding on, praying that the floods will recede and the uninterrupted supply of vital life-saving drugs will resume.”
The collective strength of the No Sex for Fish cooperative reflects the resilience of women fighting against systemic inequities and resisting the circumstances that threaten their health and livelihood.
image source from：https://www.npr.org/sections/goats-and-soda/2025/06/01/g-s1-69308/the-women-of-no-sex-for-fish-are-survivors-but-their-survival-is-precarious
