BAMBANG TRI SASONGKO ADI, FIRDAUS SULISTIJAWAN, DIAN TIAS AORTA, OMAN SUKMAN, VINA SALVIANA D. SOEDARWO
DOI: https://doi.org/This study explores the persistent poverty in coastal fishing communities across Southeast Asia and Africa through the integrated lens of contemporary-critical sociology and social welfare theory. Drawing on empirical case studies from Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda, the research examines how structural inequalities, economic exclusion, environmental degradation, and gendered power dynamics shape the livelihoods of small-scale fishers. The contemporary-critical sociology framework reveals how marginalization is perpetuated through global value chains, institutional neglect, and symbolic domination, particularly affecting women and ethnic minorities. Meanwhile, social welfare theory highlights the importance of targeted welfare programs, community-based interventions, and participatory governance in alleviating poverty and building resilience. The comparative analysis identifies commonalities—such as limited access to capital, environmental vulnerability, and entrenched gender norms—while also highlighting regional differences in policy responses and poverty determinants. The study concludes with policy recommendations aimed at transforming structural relations, enhancing social protection, and promoting inclusive development strategies tailored to the unique socio-ecological contexts of coastal fishing communities.
