Life stories of Sem Terra women: the sexual division of labour in agroecology

Abstract

In this article, we analyse the sexual division of labour in the agroecological work of women living in Agrarian Reform territories in Paraná. Research data point to women’s increased autonomy, ‘agency’ and active subjectivity. However, we identified the persistence of patriarchal sexual divisions of labour. This leads to longer working days and exhaustion of women’s bodies. In addition, we identified reduced socio-political organization and migration to the realm of agroecological production and trading. These inequalities are reduced by generational factors, schooling, gender education, and countryside-city transience. Given this scenario, the feminist demand for an egalitarian sexual division of labour is relevant in the political struggle for gender, land, agroecology and decoloniality.