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sur le développement des zones arides et semi-arides

Titre : THE IMPACT OF DAIRY COOPERATIVES ON THE ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF RURAL WOMEN IN KARNATAKA

Auteur : Dohmwirth, Carla

Université de soutenance : Humbolt University

Grade : International Master of Science in Rural Development 2014

Résumé
Women play an important role in the economic and social development of societies, but they are often denied equal opportunities because of socially embedded gender inequalities. This research looks at the potential of dairy cooperatives for women‟s empowerment in South India. Dairy production is of great importance for rural economy in India and women contribute significantly to this activity. The Women Empowerment in Agriculture Index developed by the International Food Policy Research Institute was adapted and applied as a research tool. Using a snowball sampling technique, structured interviews were conducted with women involved in four different dairy cooperatives (29) and women selling at the private market (29). The results of the study indicate that there are economic benefits for women participating in dairy cooperatives. However, the outcomes for women‟s empowerment are ambiguous. Only in some domains women in dairy cooperatives rank their empowerment status higher compared to non-members. The results point to the fact that economic gains provided by cooperatives may not always lead to greater empowerment for women. Moreover, the analysis indicates that women in mixed-gender cooperatives experience greater decision-making power compared to women in single-gender cooperatives. This study suggests that additional measures supporting women‟s role in dairy cooperatives and a more participatory management are required in order to enhance gender equality.

Présentation (Gent University)

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