A study in Bolivia highlights the need to improve the condition of women in the countryside for a more sustainable agriculture. The study was carried out by the UN, with the aim of highlighting the need for development that takes into account the various social, environmental and economic aspects to reduce poverty and eliminate inequalities.
For the study, the researchers were able to contextualize the current situation of women, public policies aimed at empowering women and offer recommendations to improve these aspects.
In the rural context, the participation of women in agriculture increased from 33% to 41.8% between the 1980s and 2010, but in many cases, the condition remains precarious. The employment of women in some cases is unpaid, especially in chestnut plantations.
The conclusions point to the importance of improving access to educational options for rural women, especially among those who are unlikely to acquire land and must work without remuneration in family activities.
This condition hinders the independence of women, restricts the possibilities of emancipation and maintains the vulnerability indexes.
According to the National Institute of Statistics in Bolivia, there are 1,670,458 women in the countryside. A large part of this population is dedicated to agriculture.