In Colombia, only 26% of rural women own the land they work, despite making up 40% of the agricultural workforce. Peasant women, organized through Fensuagro and other groups, advocate for food sovereignty and fight against patriarchal structures and agribusiness oppression. Their movements aim for structural changes essential for social justice and gender equity within rural communities.
In Colombia, peasant women have become symbols of struggle and resilience, advocating for the land they cultivate. Through organizations such as the National Unitary Agricultural Trade Union Federation (Fensuagro) and various rural groups, they are active in establishing a form of feminism rooted in agrarian issues and communal solidarity.
These women play a crucial role in food production, accounting for nearly 50% of it in rural regions. They are guardians of native seeds, water, and traditional knowledge. Their impact on food sovereignty highlights their right to determine agricultural practices, serving as a shield against agribusiness efforts that threaten rural communities, particularly targeting women.
Fensuagro remarks that peasant and popular feminism is about fighting for land, water, and the right to live dignified lives. It entails resisting patriarchy and neoliberal forces that seek to dispossess them from their territories and livelihoods.
The plight of Colombian rural women starkly illustrates the intersection of gender, land rights, and agrarian reform. Despite making up significant portions of the agricultural workforce, their land ownership remains alarmingly low at just 26%. This ongoing struggle signifies the need for comprehensive policies that promote access to land, gender equity, and social justice, reinforcing the belief that the future of agriculture in Colombia must involve women’s empowerment and feminist principles.
Original Source: viacampesina.org
