Rural and Indigenous women empowerment through productive groups and social microbusinesses in Mexico

Abstract

Women participation in productive groups is a mechanism towards gender equity, empowerment, and poverty reduction (García-Horta y Zapata- Martelo, 2012, Mair, Marti y Ventresca, 2012), these are all part of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN Development Agenda for 2030 (PNUD, 2017).

Public policy programs and Microcredits that support rural women organized in productive groups, look forward to generate economic growth and social wellness (Yunus, 2007, Pokhriyal, Rani y Uniyal, 2014), women in productive groups can become a micro-social business, which add social value, look towards communities’ development, contribute to social advancement and generate economic benefit (Defourny, 2014, Peredo y Christman, 2006).

The objective of this article is to analyze women empowerment from their participation in social microbusiness supported by microcredits or government programs. Research is guided under a descriptive documental design methodology; based on a literature review of articles relating both concepts: empowerment and social microbusiness

First the concept of empowerment is explained, then its approach to microcredits and public policy programs, next we clarify the social business concept, to finally contrast cases around the world. As a result, we propose a preliminary integrative model that incorporates both theories and tends to include this vulnerable group. We conclude empathy, education, and accompaniment are needed to built social microbusiness (Yunus, 2007, Pokhriyal, Rani y Uniyal, 2014) that contribute to local development (Defourny, 2014, Peredo y Chrisman, 2006).