Participación de Mujeres Rurales en Organizaciones Productivas: Calidad, Factores y Género: Un Análisis de Calidad, Factores Influentes y Comparativa de Género

Un Análisis de Calidad, Factores Influentes y Comparativa de Género

Abstract

This research was conducted in the Ñeembucú department of Paraguay, aiming to analyze the level of rural women's participation in decision-making processes within peasant organizations supported by governmental agencies. In a context marked by structural, cultural, and economic inequalities, the study examined the gap between active attendance at organizational meetings and effective access to leadership positions, despite normative progress and the institutionalization of gender policies. Using a mixed-methods approach, findings revealed that 68% of women regularly attend meetings, yet only 22% hold leadership roles. Key factors limiting their participation include underrepresentation (91%), traditional gender roles (88%), and limited access to markets (77%), alongside constraints in land ownership (20%), credit (22%), and training opportunities (40%). Among the 1,063 surveyed participants, men accounted for 54.3% and women for 45.7%, although in districts such as Guazú Cuá and Mayor Martínez, female participation exceeded that of men. This disparity is linked to entrenched cultural norms, insufficient leadership training, and weak implementation of gender-sensitive policies. Nevertheless, organizations that foster self-management and capacity-building demonstrate higher levels of female empowerment. The study concludes that strengthening women's participation requires comprehensive strategies that integrate cultural transformation, institutional frameworks with a gender perspective, and economic measures to ensure equitable involvement and enhance the transformative role of rural women.