Assentadas Rurais nos Territórios da Cidadania: Capacitaçao e Perspectivas para o Empoderamento?

Abstract

This paper describes the work of Sempreviva Organizacao Feminista – SOF in partnership with Assessoria Especial de Genero, Raca e Etnia – AEGRE of the Ministry of Agrarian Development – MDA, and rural women in the Territories of Citizenship in Pontal do Paranapanema and Southwest Sao Paulo, during the period June 2009 to March 2011. This article offers some reflections on gender inequalities in rural areas, the sexual division of labor and, consequently, the invisibility of rural women's work. Finally, based on the author's own experiences as social work educator and the important role she has played in this partnership, this paper discusses the implementation of public policies aimed at ensuring equal access for women in rural areas, including those in two MDA territories, and ponders over whether or not the effectiveness of this implementation can be questioned, taking into account not only the positive effects of the policies but also the performance of the covenants, and the women's inequality and gender relations in rural areas, especially in rural settlements. Keywords: public policy, rural women, rural settlement.