Women's active participation and gender homogeneity: Evidence from the South Indian dairy cooperative sector

Abstract

Abstract In the global South, agricultural cooperatives are increasingly promoted as part of participatory rural development strategies and means for the enhancement of women's economic and social empowerment. But in cooperative decision making and the acquisition of leadership positions women are often marginalized. It has been argued that women-only groups may help to counter this problem. They may increase women's active participation and, thereby, increase the benefits of cooperative membership. This paper reviews relevant literature and studies the effect of gender homogeneity on women's active participation. We apply a Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) to a sample of ten Indian village-level dairy cooperatives. The results from our comparative case study confirm that gender homogeneity is not a sufficient means to ensure active participation. It is only in combination with other factors, that women-only groups can enhance women's participation. Our paper identifies and discusses combinations of such factors and draws conclusions for development programs and further research.