Women s Roles in the Construction of New Fishing Villages in China, as Shown from Surveys in Zhejiang Province

With the continuous economic development of China, including in fisheries, the position of women infisheries has undergone great changes. Under the 11th Five Year Plan, which aims to construct a new socialism in the countryside, the importance of women in the construction of New Fishing Villages is becoming gradually evident. This essay analyses women s roles in the construction of New Fishing Villages, based on research in some typical fishery villages in Zhejiang province. The results show that women have gradually become the main force of production and development, the safeguard of community and family well-being and the advocates of civilisation in the countryside. They have dominated clean and tidy village movements and are viewed as being at the forefront of democratic management in the fishing villages. Some factors, however, hinder women s opportunities and contributions. These factors are: many grassroots women s organisations need improving, many women are not aware of available jobs or how to start their own businesses, or are not interested in starting their own business. Strategies have been suggested to further enhance women s roles in the construction of New Fishing Villages under the countryside reform programme.