The role of women in the popular and solidarity economy in Puyo: paths to economic autonomy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55892/jrg.v8i19.2488Keywords:
Popular and solidarity economy, Community enterprises, Women's participationAbstract
This document analyzed the role of women in the popular and solidarity economy in Puyo, Ecuador, focusing on their participation as a driver of economic autonomy in contexts of structural inequality. The research aimed to highlight women's contributions within a socioeconomic model that prioritized equity and collective well-being. The main objective was to understand how women built paths to economic autonomy through productive initiatives while facing social, cultural, and economic barriers. Using a qualitative approach and a collective case study design, data were collected through semi-structured interviews and document analysis, with a purposive sample of adult women involved in solidarity-based enterprises. Thematic analysis allowed for the identification of four main axes: levels of economic autonomy, challenges, support received, and future outlook. Although 40% of participants reported having achieved financial autonomy, many continued to depend on family dynamics and faced fluctuating incomes. Common obstacles included persistent machismo, the double burden of labor, and limited market access. Support networks, technical training, and institutional accompaniment played a key role in empowerment processes. It was concluded that the popular and solidarity economy represented an effective pathway for women's empowerment, as long as it was supported by gender-sensitive public policies. Furthermore, it was found that women not only sought to improve their economic conditions but also to contribute actively to local development through solidarity-based, resilient, and community-rooted initiatives.
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