Characterization of Rural Women as a Protagonist in the Socioeconomic Development of Fusagasugá and Silvania, Colombia

Keywords: Agricultural economy, Community, Women and development, Colombia

Abstract

The participation of rural women in Colombia has had a long and anonymous trajectory. Such participation has been limited to roles exclusive to the domestic environment: raising children, tidying up the house, preparing food and farming. Their responsibilities were carried out within a patriarchal society, without social or economic recognition, sacrificing their personal aspirations. Objective: to characterize socioeconomically the rural women in Fusagasugá and Silvania, agricultural food growing areas of the province of Sumapaz, Cundinamarca. A descriptive-analytical research with a qualitative-quantitative approach was conducted. A probabilistic sample was applied to 144 participants. The household of the rural woman of Fusagasugá is composed of her spouse and children 58%, the mainly engaged in unpaid household chores and agricultural and livestock activities. The Silvanenses of free union marital status and single mother head of households representing 52%, develop productive work standing out as entrepreneurs and businesswomen; 84% have businesses. The relevant role played by rural women in contributing to food security, growth and sustainable development is highlighted.

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Author Biographies

Elizabeth Ann Escobar Cazal, Santo Tomás University

Research Professor. Santo Tomás University, Colombia

María Cristina Velásquez Ardila, University of Cundinamarca

Research Professor. University of Cundinamarca, Colombia.

Gonzalo Escobar-Reyes, University of Cundinamarca

Research Professor. University of Cundinamarca, Colombia.

Natalia Escobar Escobar, University of Cundinamarca

Research Professor. University of Cundinamarca, Colombia.

Néstor Jaime Romero Jola, University of Tolima

Research Professor. University of Tolima, Colombia.

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Published
2026-01-09
How to Cite
Escobar Cazal, E. A., Velásquez Ardila, M. C., Escobar-Reyes, G., Escobar Escobar, N., & Romero Jola, N. J. (2026). Characterization of Rural Women as a Protagonist in the Socioeconomic Development of Fusagasugá and Silvania, Colombia. Journal of the University of Zulia , 17(48), 78-96. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18192511