Agroecology: leveraging the roles of rural women

Abstract

The paper analyze whether and how agroecology enhances the roles of rural women, mostly farmer’s, in Arroio do Padre and São Lourenço do Sul cities. By conducting in-depth interviews and participant observation, the article analyzes the perceptions of these women about the realities experienced by them both in the productive sector (agriculture) and reproductive (domestic). It is important underline that, in Arroio do Padre, there is an incipient process of "agroecologização", that is, households are in the early levels of the agro-ecological transition. In São Lourenço do Sul, it was observed that these women have worked in agro-ecology for more than 40 years. These different paths provide world perceptions differentiated between the two social contexts. While for the interlocutors of Arroio do Padre agroecology few interfere in their choices within and outside the home, for the respondents of São Lourenço do Sul, it is essential to rethink the relations established at home and its surroundings, especially in issues about markets and their role as "farmer".