Gender Dynamics in Collective Efficacy Beliefs for Conservation Practices in Rural Tank Cascade Systems in Sri Lanka

Understanding how gender dynamics influence collective efficacy beliefs is crucial for crafting effective and enduring conservation strategies to ensure the sustainability of common natural resource pools in agrarian regions of the developing world. This study explores the influence of gender on perceptions of collective action in the Mahakanumulla Tank Cascade System, offering unique insights into the socio-cultural aspects that shape conservation behavior in human-curated natural landscapes. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to collect data from 463 households dispersed across six village divisions. The survey focused on three dimensions of collective efficacy: individual self-efficacy, group efficacy in executing collective action, and the efficacy of collaboration in accomplishing shared goals. The study could reveal significant disparities between men and women in their perceptions of a community's potential to sustain collective action. Female respondents assessed their community's capacity to coordinate collective action as comparatively less adequate than their male counterparts. Moreover, there was a strong correlation (p<0.05) between land ownership and collective efficacy, as those who owned land demonstrated higher levels of confidence in their collective endeavors. These findings highlight the importance of adopting more gender-responsive solutions to effectively manage natural resource pools in traditional societies.