Protagonism of women settlers in the território rural do bolsão-ms: Gender, territory, and peasant resilience

Abstract

The Território Rural do Bolsão, an area that includes eight municipalities in the eastern region of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, has been the setting for the expansion of eucalyptus monoculture, triggering territorial disputes between the peasantry and capitalist agriculture. The women living in agrarian reform settlements established in the area of study have been the protagonists of important actions aimed at building peasant resilience. In order to gain a better understanding of this protagonism, the study sought to visibilize the gender issues observed in the field. The research work included compilation of the theoretical framework, data collection, field work, and interviews with 23 women from five settlements. Results showed an increase in women’s participation in the public sector, as well as changes in the sexual division of tasks in the private sector. These changes mirror debates regarding agroecology and food sovereignty, and highlight the importance of women’s efforts in connection with issues of struggle for and permanence on the land in the context of current neoliberalism.