Gender inequality and agricultural female laborers in the agroindustry in Michoacán, México

Abstract

The growing number of women entering to the agroindustry labor market is marked by gender inequality. The new expression of the neoliberal economy for them translates into endless working hours, exploitation conditions, increase in the care economy and renewed subordination. Research on rural transformations, the insertion of new companies and the perspective of women allows the knowledge of production processes, social relations and their meaning in the regions.
The research analyzes three case studies with agricultural female laborers in Michoacán, Mexico. Michoacán is the stake that ranks first in the production of berries, lemons and vegetables, and has a growing demand for the export market. The production has important contributions in foreign exchange and employment generation, but little account is given of rural female workers and their lifestyles. The reflection included an approach to community dynamics and resource degradation, which allowed understanding their situations.
Working and living conditions for women are lower than those of men, women do not receive benefits or medical service, they live in poverty, without access to housing, basic services or education, and with expressions of violence that limit their rights, keep them excluded from different spaces and marginalize them.