Governance, Gender and the Appropriation of Natural Resources: A Case Study of ‘Left-Behind’ Women’s Collective Action in China

Du, Y, Ravenscroft, Neil, Wang, Y and Liu, P (2019) Governance, Gender and the Appropriation of Natural Resources: A Case Study of ‘Left-Behind’ Women’s Collective Action in China. Society & Natural Resources, 32 (4). ISSN 1521-0723

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Abstract

China’s rapid urbanization has created large scale of population migration, resulting in many villages being dominated by “left-behind” women, and weak governance of those collectively owned resources. The situation has required these women to take up the functions of decision-making and governance as a remedial mechanism as well as a new path. Based on a case study in a typical hollowing-out village in central China, this paper explores an example of left-behind women’s collective action to prevent the over-exploitation of community and resources. It finds out that although traditionally excluded from public activities and marginalized, the “left-behind” women were able to mobilize and enhance collective action. When empowered, they are growing fast with endurance and courage, and as capable as anyone of defending the common-pool resources. It suggests that the left-behind women offer a new governance option for those population hollowing out rural areas.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Collective action, Common-pool resources, left-behind women, rural governance, rural hollowing-out
Divisions:	Real Estate and Land Management
Depositing User:	Users 4 not found.
Date Deposited:	26 Mar 2019 12:02
Last Modified:	23 Nov 2022 16:34
URI:	https://rau.repository.guildhe.ac.uk/id/eprint/16123

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