A study conducted by the Latin American Center for Rural Development (Rimisp) analyzed the "Rural Women" program of Prodemu and Indap, and found that 40% of the participants surveyed considered that their income had increased following their participation in the program.
Empowerment of rural women and its impact on communities
In addition, it was reported that the production rate of the beneficiaries increased from 33.4% to 89.6%. But what is this program about? The purpose of this project is to support rural women and small producers to increase their income, based on a comprehensive intervention model with a gender approach that aims to establish and improve their productive enterprises through a three-year support cycle.
The study was carried out from 2022 to 2024 and sought to understand and understand the impact it has on the lives of women living in rural areas of our country. The program, which this year will celebrate 33 years since its inauguration, works with women in 15 regions of our country and integrates women of all sectors, ages and ethnicities. According to the information provided, 32% stated that they belong to one of the 10 native peoples recognized by the Chilean State.
How does empowerment contribute to the growth of your ventures?
"Rural Women" is a unique program in Latin America and has four fundamental pillars of work such as personal empowerment, organizational development, entrepreneurship management and business management techniques. Its objective is for women in rural areas of the country to obtain better economic results from their work.
Nancy Núñez, a craftswoman who rescues ancestral techniques for weaving pita and member of the Rural Women's Roundtable, commented that "this program should continue to be strengthened, as it is important. I was empowered, I learned to value my work and my knowledge. We women were strengthened to make decisions.
In 2024, coverage reached 3,011 women distributed in 52 modules in the country's territories, with the exception of the Magallanes region. The Araucanía region concentrates the largest number of women with 639 participants, which represents 21.22% of the total number of participants.
In terms of gender and intersectionality, 93% felt that their interests and needs as women were adequately addressed. They also reported feeling "empowered" and more informed about their rights as women.
In terms of effectiveness, there was an increase in the beneficiaries' production rates from 33.4% to 89.6%. In addition, the respondents stated that their income tripled and stressed that the program helped them to put a price on their work and understand its value in economic terms.
On the other hand, in terms of efficiency, the beneficiaries stated that they feel satisfied with what this program delivers. In addition, 94% consider that the subsidies have strengthened their capacity to make decisions as women.
The program seeks to empower women entrepreneurs to take control of their workspaces and have full knowledge of how much their work is worth so that they are not taken for granted.
Read the original article at El Mostrador
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