Learning from Positive Deviance in Gender and Fisheries

A Case Study in Solomon Islands

Bibliographic Data

ID18938845
AuthorsChelcia Gomese (0000-0001-5285-4321, University of Wollongong, corresponding author), Anouk Ride (0009-0002-3194-4146, University of the South Pacific - Solomon Islands Campus), Aurélie Delisle (0000-0002-7014-0231, University of Wollongong)
Year2025
Volume53
Issue2
Pages385-394
Publication date2025-04-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHuman Ecology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0300-7839 • E-ISSN: 1572-9915
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1007/s10745-025-00591-z
OpenAlexW4409186818
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited18

We present an initial exploration of why and how participation in a case of community-based resource management (CBRM) in a Pacific context could be considered a deviation from gender norms. Using analysis of in-depth interviews with community members in a village in Malaita Province, Solomon Islands, our data suggest four causal factors appear to have contributed to higher participation of women in CBRM compared to surrounding villages in the province: (1) higher than usual participation of women in fishing, (2) inclusive leadership and intrinsic values towards equality by male leaders, (3) experience of women in other non-fisheries leadership roles, and (4) supportive attitudes by the community towards women’s leadership. We suggest that rather than research focusing on gender of individual leaders or attitudes of individuals, as has been the norm, more attention should be given to the enabling context and specific norms around fisheries, work, community governance, and resource management to understand barriers and opportunities for increased inclusion in coastal fisheries management

Biology · Fishery · Geography · Positive deviance · Sociology · Statistics · Island Studies and Pacific Affairs · Mathematics · Psychology · Social Psychology · Tourism, Volunteerism, and Development

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