Mulheres na agricultura familiar: o fortalecimento da sua participação e as desigualdades de gênero

Abstract

Family farming nationwide took different paths after the implementation of public policies aimed at this segment, such as the Family Farming Strengthening Program (PRONAF); however, previously, male and female farmers fought for their rights, among them, the recognition of the role of women in the work carried out in the field. The literature has highlighted the strengthening of family farming associated with the recent increase in female participation in activities that contribute significantly to family income. With the creation of the Special Secretariat for Policies for Women, in 2003, responsible for holding conferences on gender-oriented policies, the National Plans for Policies for Women were created, initiating the more active participation of female farmers. Due to this context in which many transformations are observed in the lives of women farmers, the objective of this work was to understand the advancement and strengthening of women in family farming, reflecting on gender inequalities, which are still present. Initially, a bibliographic research was carried out on the objects of study, encompassing: family farming, agroecology, the history of the presence and struggle of women in family farming for their rights and their valorization; subsequently, a field survey was carried out with farmers from the municipality of Itaqui-RS participating in the AGROECOMULHER project, aiming to analyze and reflect on the inequalities that are still found by them. This stage of the work made it possible to understand the importance of the role of women farmers, and it can be said that the gender inequalities still found today are discussed and can be modified in the family context, as they are already perceived by them. In this process, still incipient, these women seek to have greater financial freedom, in addition to exercising leadership roles not only in the field, but in Itaquiense society, thus conquering their space more and more. It is noteworthy that these gender inequalities, still present, are related to the Brazilian social context and cultural dimensions linked to the region.