Gender Dimension in Public Policy for Smallholder Agriculture
Supervisor: Dr Sonia Bussu and Dr Karin Bottom
In the Latin American context, the transformation of public policies in the late 20th and early 21st centuries has been remarkable, especially regarding poverty alleviation in rural areas. These transformations, however, have left several critical aspects needing to be solved, specifically in small-scale agriculture. Often, policies have been implemented that, while well-intentioned, still need to gain the depth and scope to address systemic and multifaceted challenges associated with this sub-sector.
Internationally, particularly in countries of the global south, there has been a growing feminisation of agriculture. Women are assuming increasingly prominent roles in the agricultural sector; however, this increased participation has unfortunately correlated with persistent poverty levels. Leading authors in the field have conceptualised this phenomenon as the "feminisation of agricultural distress, " which encapsulates the problematic intersection between gender, agriculture and poverty.
Despite its increasing prevalence in nations like Chile, women's agricultural work is rarely recognised in government policies. The undervaluing of women's contribution is manifested in sectoral programmes that often divert public funds to initiatives that do not consider the variability and diversification inherent in small-scale agriculture. This omission is evidence of a systematic disconnect between the policies formulated and the realities experienced on the ground.
The current research aims to meticulously analyse the impact of these policies on smallholder agriculture in Chile, paying particular attention to the intersection of gender. A Participatory Research methodology is employed, which values and prioritises women's lived experiences and tacit knowledge in the sector. Knowledge co-production, a strategy that integrates the perceptions and experiences of a wide range of actors, is central to this study.
This research will likely trigger a critical review and reconfiguration of existing policies, ensuring that they are gender-sensitive and reflect the complexity and diversity of smallholder agriculture. Ultimately, the study aims to contribute to formulating inclusive, empowering, and transformative policies, catalysing sustainable change in the agricultural sector and improving the well-being of rural women in Latin America.
I am interested in exploring the underlying causes of citizens' limited political participation and understanding how this dynamic relates to the apparent disconnection of governments from specific territorial realities. Furthermore, I am interested in examining the relationship between central government, local governments and citizens. This triangle of interaction is crucial for implementing effective public policies and ensuring that decisions taken at higher levels of government reflect and respond to the needs and aspirations of local populations.
On the other hand, it is essential to analyse how centralised and local government structures can be adapted to be more responsive, inclusive and adaptive to diversified territorial realities. I am convinced that a critical assessment of these aspects will identify opportunities to improve the connection between citizens and governmental bodies, promoting a more democratic and participatory governance that strengthens our society's social and political fabric.
- BSc in Social Work, Andres Bello University, 2012
- MSc In Labour Law and Social Security, Chile University, 2018
- Public Policy
- Participatory Research
- Collaborative Governance Networks
- Gender
- Agriculture
Contact details
Email: Adg242@student.bham.ac.uk