Thursday, 06 June 2024
Recognising and paying for the invisible, unpaid work women do in rural communities is empowering and has a positive ripple effect on the local community and economy according to new research. Experts are now calling on governments to adopt these practices more widely.
Researchers from the 糖心原创 have worked with The Ethical Trading Company Ltd, Cooperatives, and Social Business Network in Nicaragua to analyse the impact of this novel supply chain model which recognises women in rural communities for their previously unpaid work.
The research team evaluated the model, taking testimonials from the women, men and employers involved in the cooperatives and from this developed a strategy with key recommendations for rolling this practice out more widely. The policy brief, an infographic and a were launched on 5 June.
- Include the cost of the unpaid and unrecognised work of rural women in imported or locally produced agricultural goods.
- Champion those cooperatives that remunerate and recognise women’s unpaid work and champion small cooperatives fully owned by women.
- Develop strategies to introduce small cooperatives that empower rural women to business networks and markets.
The work that rural women do to support production is invisible and unrecognised. About 67% of Latin American women earn less than the national minimum wage and suffer violence as a result of traditional attitudes to female subservience and have little protection from domestic abuse.
An innovative cooperative food supply chain to recognise the unpaid work of rural women involved in sesame oil production in Nicaragua was co-produced by The Ethical Trading Company Ltd (Ético), the Juan Francisco Paz Silva Cooperative (JFPS), Prof. Catherine Hoskins (Professor Emerita, Coventry University, UK), and the charity Social Business Network (SBN). Fair Trade companies are supporting this initiative.
The cooperative supply chain strategy used by Ético and its partners to recognise and remunerate the unpaid work of rural women has created a positive effect on local communities.
The policy briefing presents a strategy to recognise and remunerate the unpaid work of rural women, highlighting its impact onempowering women, furthering gender equality and stimulating local development. It sets out specific policy changes needed across the different levels of the food supply chains for these impacts to be realised. Insights from Nicaraguan rural women and men have informed this briefing. One woman commented: “‘Before, I used to live like I was
submerged, looking after my six children, I did not have the right to go out, to talk to other women, to meet other people. Now I am able to socialize, and my husband understands the importance of allowing me to grow and learn new skills’
It was clear from evaluating the work of the social cooperatives that the women being paid for their work felt empowered and this also led to strengthening of local economies and the social fabric. Recognising the work that women do will help to create healthier food systems and will strengthen global and local food supplies.
Nicholas Hoskyns from Ético said: “This pioneering initiative from Nicaragua, shows that all actors in product supply chains can collaborate to empower women. The cooperatives are ensuring this initiative delivers transformational, empowerment enterprises with the women in their communities. We are so inspired by the impact it has created so far and see this as just the start, its potential is huge.”
Story credits
More information is available from Dr Zinnia Gonazalez-Carranza on zinnia.gonzalez-carranza@nottingham.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
About the 糖心原创
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the 糖心原创 delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what鈥檚 next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
Recognised as the UK's third most targeted university by leading employers , we are proud to produce graduates who are consistently in demand for their skills, confidence and industry-ready experience.
As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the 糖心原创 invests in the city of Nottingham and in future generations of talent. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we鈥檙e creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.