Supporting Women in Bebnine Through Local Craftsmanship

In the coastal village of Bebnine, the sea shapes daily life. But lately, something is brewing on the shore. 

A group of women have gathered not to wait for the catch, but to help build it. As part of Nassim Al Baher project, they are learning the craft of making fish cages, equally weaving knowledge and wire. 

It is practical yet plain work, but in a community where fishing families carry the weight of every season, knowing how to build your own gear changes the equation. No more sourcing traps from outside, no more added costs. This technical craft is in reality deeply connected to everyday survival: sustaining livelihoods, supporting fishing families, and strengthening a coastal economy under pressure. 

“I might not cast the nets myself, but it’s part of my family,” said Jamileh, a training participant. “Learning to make these cages helps them. In doing so, I also build something for myself.” 

Beyond the practical, when women sit together around a shared craft, knowledge is passed between hands. Stories surface, and a trade that once felt distant becomes, stitch by stitch, their own. 

Nassim Al Baher, funded by the AFD and implemented by Fair Trade Lebanon, is working alongside coastal communities to sustain local livelihoods and support a more resilient future for Lebanese fishing.