Resumen de Women’s empowerment in the coffee production sector in the High Mountains Region, Veracruz, Mexico
Erika María Gasperín García, Elizabeth Pacheco Reyes, Julio Vilaboa Arroniz, Pedro Zetina Córdoba, Arturo Mota Aparicio
ABSTR ACT Objective: To characterize the profile and empowerment level of women in the coffee (Coffea arabica L.) production sector in the High Mountains Region, Veracruz, Mexico.
Design/methodology: The assessment considered two scenarios: women coffee production owners (MDP) and coffee producers’ wives (EFP). The study was conducted in five municipalities with a “non-probabilistic” sample. Eighty questionnaires with a Likert-type scale were applied in the municipalities of Coatepec, Huatusco, Sochiapa, Tlaltetela, and Zentla, Veracruz.
Results: The age of women in both profiles ranged between 41 and 60 years. Marital status for MDP is 20% single and 23% divorced, while 80% of the EFP are married. Education level among MDP is higher than among EFP. Most MDP have two or more jobs (78%), while EFP are mostly housewives (68%). Most MDP (65%) presented a high empowerment level and 35% a medium level. Among EFP, 45% had a high empowerment level and 55% a medium level.
Limitations and implications: Survey on how male producers perceive women’s participation and empowerment within the coffee sector.
Conclusion: Empowerment level is higher among women production owners —since this allows them to show leadership and autonomy in decision-making— than among women who depend economically on a male producer. This dependency limits the role women play in decision-making.
