Synopsis Women have long been the mainstay of communities and heavily involved in community initiatives in various guises. Although often the unsung heroes of collective action, the role of women in a community's growth and development has become increasingly important in a globalising world that has changed considerably since the first edition of this classic text was published. The Author draws on the experiences of women to explore the developments in community work and collective action-as well as the reasons for the limited increase in the well-being of women themselves. By linking historical material to the present, Women and Community Action examines the ways in which women organise in order to secure social change to enhance the quality of life at individual and community levels. As well as focusing on women, the book discusses gender relations more widely and highlights the differentiated positions of both men and women in community work. It considers how the gender gap might be bridges in terms of building more socially cohesive communities that promote egalitarian social relations. Aimed primarily at students of social work, community work, sociology and social policy, practitioners and policy makers will also find the book an invaluable resource.