updated: 19 January, 2007
IFAD
Gender
International Fund for Agricultural Development

A women’s group in Peru finds a way to combine domestic responsibilities and income earning activities.

The IFAD financed FEAS Project in Peru, started up activities in 1993. The Latin American Region of IFAD had been focusing on women in development issues since the early 1980’s. This project took place at a time of transition from the ‘Women in Development’ approach to the “Gender in Development’ approach. A recent study included it in a review of gender IFAD co-financed projects which were members of the PROCASUR network (a regional capacity building initiative). The goal of the study was to review how these projects were dealing with gender issues, comparing design and implementation and identifying major obstacles. Although the study did not find the project itself as having been particularly successful in integrating gender issues or in focusing on rural women, it did highlight some successful cases.

The goal of FEAS was to stimulate development of the private sector to provide technical assistance services in the Departments of Piura, Cajamarca, Moquguea , Tacna and Puno. It targeted 365 rural communities and an estimated 40,680 poor families. It was estimated that at that time some 17% of women in the project area were household heads, and that 90% of women in the project area had direct involvement in production activities.

During design, there was explicit focus on rural women. in recognition of the fact that they might otherwise be excluded from participation and benefits. Among related goals were: (i) to increase the technical information level of rural women; (ii) to improve access of rural women to production related services; (iii) to promote the participation of women in the communication systems; (iv) to improve training programmes for women. Unfortunately, the gender plan that was prepared during project formulation was only minimally integrated into the main IFAD Appraisal Report, although present in an Annex. The study found that during implementation some efforts had been made, but, for the most part, the gender issues that had been highlighted in design were forgotten.

In a workshop organized by a national NGO, rural women in the project area had identified their problems, including the following:

  • Low income
  • No chance to take part in Assemblies, except for widows or the directors of the Clubes de Madres (mothers’ clubs). When women did attend the Assemblies, they voted but were afraid to voice their opinions because men criticized them (said they do not speak well).
  • Lack of understanding by their husbands, who do not like their holding office.
  • Excessive domestic work; family members do not help.
  • Males do not support their wives who are leaders.
  • As illiterates, they are often cheated by others.

Overall, the study felt that the project had done little to help women overcome these problems. Albeit, some 5000 women were estimated to have contracted technical assistance services through community organizations. In a project workshop, conducted a year before the project closed, several women spoke of the benefits they had received, often with considerable effort on their part.

One of the success stories , quoted by the study, involves an interesting experience of a Club de Madres called ‘Maria Parada Bellido’ in Puno. Such clubs are common in Peru. This club began its activities with support from the NGO, CARE, and also benefited from the project services. The club focuses on traditional handicrafts and bread baking. In order to help married women members participate, the club started up a dining room where the husbands and family could eat lunch, so the women did not have to go home to cook. Others could also dine there, but had to pay double what members and their families paid.

Initially, it was difficult to convince husbands to eat outside their homes. However, in time, they all accepted it, mainly because they became aware of the benefits of women bringing money home. According to the members, their husbands appreciate them more now that they are making a financial contribution. In fact, some husbands help with child care. The club also has a nursery, operated by two trained members.

Women have divided up part of their income, but most has been invested in the construction of a new building. They have used their own part of the income for various activities, such as opening up a new business. In fact, some had used their earnings to provide capital for their husbands to start an off-farm business, such as bicycle repair.

Lesson: Women’s business success can demonstrate new roles and result in changes in gender relations.

Based on: IFAD, Programa de Fortalecimiento en los Aspectos de Genero Para los Proyectos Fida del Cono Sur e Integrantes del PROCASUR: Estudio Diagnostico – El Enfoque de Genero en la Ejecucion de los Proyectos FIDA Integrantes de PROCASUR: Rome: IFAD.