Gender in Cocoa Cultivation in Colombia: A Resignification of Women’s Role in Agriculture?

Abstract

Women’s participation in productive and community activities in rural areas is increasingly visible. However, imbalances persist, hindering the efficient development of agricultural activities and limiting household well-being. This study analyzes gender roles in rural livelihoods and cocoa farming activities in rural households in the departments of Caquetá and Santander, Colombia. In 151 households with two heads of household (male and female), the following variables were identified: who decides, who responds and who performs the work in each of the household livelihoods and in each of the activities related to cocoa cultivation. Later, we analyzed the perception of different actors in the cocoa production chain on the role of women in cocoa farming activities through interviews. We found that cocoa cultivation activities were mostly directed and developed by men, however, there is a high percentage of households where activities are carried out jointly by men and women. In addition, we found a greater participation of women in sales and community participation. There is a resignification of the role of women in cocoa, as women recognized that, under the current conditions, they feel better about themselves and their families with greater participation. Women perceived that they have been overcoming obstacles and that they receive increased support from their partners and companions. Finally, we conclude that cocoa “is not a man’s crop”; on the contrary, it is a crop that has allowed a reconfiguration of gender roles towards the participation and joint development of men and women in production, processing, sales and associativity.