Equal Numbers, Equal Chances? A Case Study of Gender Differences in the Distribution of Social Capital in Smallholder Farmer Groups in Búzi District, Mozambique

Elisabeth Gotschi, Jemimah Njuki and Robert Delve
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Elisabeth Gotschi: [1] aUniversit&aauml;t für Bodenkultur (BOKU)[2] bCentro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Jemimah Njuki: Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Robert Delve: Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)

The European Journal of Development Research, 2009, vol. 21, issue 2, 264-282

Abstract: Despite the potential for local groups to contribute to rural development, it remains questionable whether social capital – as the ‘missing link’ in development – is compatible with the idea of gender equity strived for in ‘gender mainstreamed’ development projects. This paper examines engendered differences in smallholder farmer groups in Búzi district, and how social capital is generated and distributed. Although men and women equally invest in groups, in terms of participation in group activities or contribution of communal work, the benefits of social capital are significantly unequally distributed. Women find it harder to transform the number of social relations into improved information, access to markets or help in case of need.Malgré le potentiel des groupes locaux pour contribuer au développement rural, il n'est pas certain que le capital social, en tant que chaînon manquant du développement, soit compatible avec le principe d'équité de genre recherchée par les projets de développement sensibles à la question du genre. Cet article examine les différences générées par des groupes de petits exploitants agricoles dans le district de Búzi et comment le capital social est créé et distribué. Alors qu'hommes et femmes investissent de façon équivalente, en termes de participation aux activités des groupes ou de contribution au travail communautaire, les bénéfices du capital social sont distribués de façon sensiblement inégale. Les femmes ont plus de difficultés à transformer les relations sociales en un meilleur accès à l'information, aux marchés ou en aide en cas de besoin.European Journal of Development Research (2009) 21, 264–282. doi:10.1057/ejdr.2008.20

Date: 2009
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