Beekeeping for the empowerment of women farmers: a case study

Abstract

The relationship between bees and the natural environment emphasises the potential of beekeeping as a sustainable practice, as bees play a crucial role in ecosystem health, biodiversity conservation and food security; it is also compatible with the Sustainable Development Goals. Previous studies have shown that women's participation in beekeeping projects gives them access to paid work and triggers the possibility of their empowerment and autonomy. The study was carried out in the municipality of São José dos Cordeiros (PB) to assess the role of women in beekeeping and the contribution of honey production to improving family livelihoods, investigating the process of women's empowerment as one of the social outcomes resulting from the activity. Questionnaires were sent to the six women participating in the beekeepers' association, of which four responded. All the women interviewed recognise the importance of the female presence in beekeeping and see beekeeping as a way of showing that women can play important roles in areas traditionally dominated by men, as well as highlighting the excellence of women's practices and the positive impact on family income, although they report the challenges they face, such as appreciation, the need for technical assistance and more investment in the activity. The results also indicate that women's participation in beekeeping has increased their access to fairs and events, as well as their ability to define and achieve their goals, revealing a shared vision among the participants about their role in beekeeping as well as the potential for empowerment that the activity can offer.