Afro-Mexican mangrove fisherwomen: An experience of rural (mis)governance?

Abstract

We present investigation advances about the conditions in which the activities of a group of Afro-Mexican fisherwomen are developed in Costa Chica Oaxaca, specifically in the locality of Zapotalito, in the municipality of Tututepec de Melchor Ocampo. In this approach, we criticize the central proposals of the rural governance theory on the appropriation processes and mechanisms for social participation and decision-making of rural communities. It insists on knowing the perceptions of the fisherwomen, the forms in which they conceive the most immediate problems that affect them, the relationship and communication with the different government levels and their advances and expectations of community organization. The preliminary findings reveal the huge challenges to implement public policies with effective governance responses on the part of the organizational experiences within the territory. The documentation, fieldwork and organization of results were conducted between 2018 and 2019.