Mulheres da Chapada do Araripe – Agroecologia e Empoderamento

Abstract

This dissertation focuses on the issue of empowerment and agroecological activities of rural women workers. It aims to reflect from the perspective of the rural women workers of Chapada do Araripe if they achieve and recognize their empowerment from the practice of agroecological activities. Data were obtained and treated through a qualitative approach, for which field observation and semi-structured interviews were performed. Ten women were selected three municipalities (Crato, Nova Olinda e Santa do Cariri). All were rural workers, inhabit communities in Chapada do Araripe participated in projects promoted by the Christian Base Association (CBA) located in the city of Crato – Ceará. We consider empowerment as a process carried out by women themselves and related to social, political, economic and psychological aspects. The participation of women farmers in agroecological projects, as well as their organization in associations and fairs were considered as vehicles for empowerment. The results obtained point to different perceptions of female empowerment, varying according to the generation, schooling and context that women are inserted. In the face of the feminist perspective, we conclude that women recognize more community empowerment than individual empowerment, emphasizing economic autonomy. However, we stress that some women are politically, socially and psychologically empowered.