LocationsBreaking the Shell: Empowering Rural Women in China's Oyster Industry
May 8, 2026
Across the globe, women make up approximately 39.6%of the agricultural labour force[i]. In China, women are not only central to agricultural production but also play a critical role in rural economic development and industrial revitalization.
In Rushan, Shandong Province, this contribution can be heard in the rhythmic strike of hand axes. Known locally as the “women with axes,” a group of workers—most over the age of 50—process over 500 kilograms of oysters daily per person, each striking more than 10,000 times to support a billion-dollar industry. Here, oysters are a vital source of livelihoods.
As a major oyster production hub in China, Rushan’s industry generates significant local employment, with women comprising a large share of the processing workforce. They are both key contributors to the value chain and primary income earners for their households.
Traditionally, women have been concentrated in labour-intensive segments of the value chain, with limited access to financial services. Enabling more women to transition from “participants” to “owners” is essential for industrial upgrading and rural revitalization.
To support this transition, UNDP China, the China International Centre for Economic and Technical Exchanges (CICETE), and Du Xiaoman jointly launched the "Leveraging Sustainable Development Finance Accelerating the Revitalization of Rural Micro and Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)" project.
Through an integrated “Digital + Green + Finance” approach, the project promotes innovative finance solutions to support rural MSMEs, with a particular focus on women entrepreneurs, across seven pilot counties in China.
With support from the project and guidance from local financial authorities, Rushan has introduced tailored financial products such as the “Oyster Loan,” improving access to finance for women entrepreneurs.
The project has also supported local efforts to promote the “blue carbon” value of marine fisheries, recognizing the role of healthy coastal ecosystems in absorbing carbon emissions, thereby helping to drive a more sustainable transformation of the industry while expanding opportunities for women in the blue economy.
In addition, targeted capacity-building activities have strengthened women’s skills in digital marketing, e-commerce, and financial management. Financial literacy and independence for women farmers in these rural communities were core to the UNDP China intervention. To date, more than 3,300 rural women across the seven pilot counties have benefited, enabling them to move beyond production into business management and market expansion.
One such example is Ms. XIAO Zhenxiu. Originally one of the oyster workers herself, she began her own oyster processing business in 2009 and has since transitioned from a manual worker to an entrepreneur, navigating market fluctuations and overcoming gender barriers.
“I’ve gone from being financially dependent to running my own business,” she says. “When quality is high and your brand is trusted, people remember your name—not your gender.”
Watch "Breaking the Shell: Empowering Rural Women in China's Oyster Industry" here.
Life may have a hard shell, but these women have a sharp axe. As financial services become more accessible and digital capabilities drive productivity gains, the impact of women’s contributions is extending beyond the processing table to broader segments of the value chain.