Participatory exclusion of women in natural resource management: silent voices from wetland communities in Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, women are generally excluded from participatory management of natural resources, despite such activities being widely considered by policymakers and decision makers as gender-neutral processes. In this context, we seek to examine the participatory exclusion of women from collective management of natural resources in wetland communities. As we consider ‘agency’ to be central to understanding collective action, an analysis of agency dynamics is the primary focus of our research. Drawing upon Bourdieu’s theory of field, capital, and habitus and Giddens’ notion of agency, an examination of structure and voice, and emotionality as the two primary factors affecting agency is emphasized. The findings of our investigation of a development project reveal that women in local communities often exclude themselves from participatory institutions due to family endowment and their limited ability to cope with hegemonic norms (i.e. habitus). They are also excluded by powerful social forces due to the generally subjugated class position and status of women in Bangladeshi culture. However, women with significant cultural capital and social networks hold relatively higher positions within the society and are better able to exercise their agency.