Women's work in dairy farming

analysis in modern, traditional and transitional production contexts in Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil)

Abstract

Studies that address the issue of gender in rural areas have explored questions about the sexual division of labor and the invisibility of women in this context. However, women develop many productive activities, and their recognition has been claimed in several spaces. Considering that women are key agents in the operationalization of dairy production in properties, this study has the objective of analyzing how women are inserted in the management of rural properties according to the degree of technification of dairy production. 68 interviews were conducted with women in 21 municipalities in the northern region of Rio Grande do Sul. Through the analysis of the primary data, three groups were constructed based on degree of technification of the milk activity: modern, in transition and traditional. Statistical tests were implemented to evaluate the difference between the groups analyzed. Differences were observed regarding management and work according to the group: women with modern productive activity have greater insertion in management, while those in the transition and traditional group present greater dedication to work.

Keywords: Female Work. Technification. Family Farming. Rural Devlopment.