The role of women in rural development: A cooperative development approach, a case study on Iran

Abstract

This study aims at investigating the cooperative role of women in running the international program of Carbon Sequestration Project performed by United Nation Development Program (UNDP) in droughty and dessert region of Sarbisheh County – South Xorasan – Iran. Interviews and questionnaires taken from rural women of the related region make the methodology of the study in a descriptive-analytical fashion. The results indicate that this Project managed to enhance the socio-economical and cultural capabilities of women and cooperation toward regional development. This results in the improvement of human resource index and effects rural women independence, employment, management, and family income (per capita) rise based on their cooperation. Moreover, cooperation development pattern and its structure and functionality can be used in other areas of the world as an appropriate plan. Experience related to making use of women capabilities toward regional development programs can also be applied in other programs.   Key words: Cooperative, Iran, rural development, women