In many societies, the work required to secure livelihoods is not equally shared between women and men. The traditional allocation of roles and tasks is rigid.

An example from Brazil

In the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, machismo continues to hold sway. Machismo refers to exaggerated male assertiveness and to a traditionally disdainful attitude towards women.

For many years MISEREOR has promoted the cultivation of medicinal plants and vegetables in Belo Horizonte. Over the course of time, it became apparent that the work was being done virtually only by women, adding yet another chore to their already burdensome workload. Meanwhile, the men were reaping far greater benefits from the sale of the produce without having to invest any labour themselves.
This prompted the Catholic women’s association Graal to approach MISEREOR with a proposal concerning adult education for women and men from the favelas and rural areas. Together they are to consider how to organise the horticultural tasks equitably, with a view to giving the women more time to participate in political life and decision-making. Social involvement of this kind will in the long term raise the status of women in Brazilian society.