Histórias, desafios e sonhos das mulheres da Feira Agroecológica de Sumé-PB.

Abstract

Agroecology needs to increasingly integrate women's contributions in order to understand and transform power relations in food systems. The aim of this research was to investigate, analyse and consider the self-perception of women at the Sumé Agroecological Fair, in which they addressed challenges and perspectives related to their participation in the fair and their daily lives in agriculture. The methodology adopted involved collecting qualitative and quantitative data through structured interviews with 07 women from the Association of Producers of the Sumé Agroecological Fair (APFAS). The data was analysed using Microsoft® Office Excel. Of the seven women interviewed, all are married and only one has no children. In terms of level of education, 29% had completed secondary school, 43% had completed primary school, 15% had incomplete primary school and 14% had completed higher education. Regarding women's participation in the fair, the interviewees mentioned that it is good and that there are a significant number of them (28%), that there is still prejudice (14%), that women are a mainstay at the Sumé fair (29%) and that it could be improved (29%). Life before the fair was more difficult (29 per cent), more hectic (28 per cent) and dull and joyless (43 per cent). In terms of achievements, the women at the Sumé Agrroecological Fair mentioned self-development (28%), financial independence (43%) and awareness of better food (29%). The APFAS women said they were happy and enjoyed what they did, because knowing that they were bringing quality food to consumers' tables and to their own is what drives them to continue with their work. It is essential not only to develop and implement policies and programmes to support women in the sustainable agri-food system, but also to disseminate these policies and strengthen the arrival of the projects in the communities in order to broaden the integration of the gender perspective to improve the livelihoods of women farmers and reduce income disparities in the countryside, expanding the possibilities of dreaming to build new histories.