La participación y el empoderamiento de las mujeres dirigentes de la Junta de Riego de Ricaurte, periodo 2016 - 2018

Abstract

This research was carried out in the rural parish of Ricarte, Cuenca county, during the months of December 2018 and March 2019, in the Association of Users of the Irrigation System - Checa - Sidcay – Ricaurte. The purpose of this project was to analyze the configuration of the processes of participation and construction of the empowerment of the women leaders of the Irrigation Association between 2016 - 2018. The research made it possible to demonstrate a gender gap in the participation of women and men in the leadership of the system, and the consequent inequality of gender, although the incursion of women in these spaces put at their disposal some tools (doe to their status as leaders) that made possible the acquisition and development of a series of abilities that, through the exercise of the leadership and community leadership, constituted generating autonomy and / or empowerment. Similarly, although their participation and empowerment almost always brings positive effects, it also has some negative impacts such as the overload of domestic work and care due to gender roles and stereotypes assigned to their women. Finally, for them, empowerment and full autonomy is possible only when they affirm themselves in their will and conscience of leaders, and that is articulated with the support of their family, their community and the organization.