Growing food in the city: Urban agriculture in Quito, Ecuador, through a feminist lens

Abstract

While much research has been done on urban agriculture (UA), globally, less is known about the impact of gender and the implications on access to food, social relationships, and power relations. More work is needed on how to link place-based UA case studies across different locations with varied levels of political support to promote transformational change in policy and development. In addition, more exploration is needed that analyzes gendered experiences of UA and how intersections of social location affect how a person experiences and accesses UA and its varied benefits. This preliminary research brief explores the potential for using intersectional experiences and feminist political ecology to assess UA programming in Quito, Ecuador. Exploring the intersectional experiences of UA and program development can influence increased access to nutritious food for the most marginalized people, promote equality and inclusion, and improve urban environments.