Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2007. / Title from title screen (site viewed July 10, 2007). PDF text: vii, 130 p. : ill., map. UMI publication number: AAT 3254332. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in microfilm and microfiche formats.

Cette recherche se focalise sur les actions d’autonomisation des femmes en zone rurale par le biais d’une organisation collective visant à les aider à accéder au marché dans la province du Ningxia en Chine. Nous avons étudié la pertinence de ces actions selon la vision des femmes qui y sont engagées. Au-delà de ces actions, nous avons prolongé nos travaux dans les deux dimensions de la notion du Sujet – à savoir la subjectivité et la responsabilité – et nous avons par là même discuté la viabilité des voies d’autonomisation des femmes rurales. Suite aux analyses des interactions entre ces femmes rurales et leur environnement extérieur, nous concluons sur la participation responsabilisée de tous les acteurs sociaux et sur le respect de la subjectivité de chacun, en vue de l’autonomisation véritable des femmes rurales et pour l’établissement d’un modèle qui pourra être reproduit au profit du développement durable. / The present research focuses on the actions of empowering rural women through their own cooperative to help them enter the modern market in Ningxia province in China. We investigated the relevance of these actions according to the vision of the women who are involved . Beyond these actions , we have extended our discussions in the two dimensions of the concept of the Subject - subjectivity and responsibility - and we have thus discussed the viability of the ways to empower rural women. Following the analysis of interactions between rural women and their external environment , we conclude the responsible participation of all social actors and the respect of the subjectivity of each, with the aim of the true empowerment of rural women, and also try to establish a model that can be replicated for sustainable development.

BARBOSA, Mônica de Moura. Casas de sementes comunitárias: estratégia de resistência e manutenção da vida camponesa. 2014. 97 f. : Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Ceará, Pró-Reitoria de Pesquisa e Pós-Graduação, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Desenvolvimento e Meio Ambiente, Fortaleza-Ce, 2014. / Submitted by Nádja Goes (nmoraissoares@gmail.com) on 2016-04-06T13:52:35Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2014_dis_mmbarbosa.pdf: 2793532 bytes, checksum: 192d55b1de6f71bc46a0a6117e65d9e4 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Nádja Goes(nmoraissoares@gmail.com) on 2016-04-06T13:54:00Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2014_dis_mmbarbosa.pdf: 2793532 bytes, checksum: 192d55b1de6f71bc46a0a6117e65d9e4 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-06T13:54:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2014_dis_mmbarbosa.pdf: 2793532 bytes, checksum: 192d55b1de6f71bc46a0a6117e65d9e4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / ] Experiments storage and seed selection is a very ancient practice dating from the beginning of agriculture, when ancient people began to select and improve seed according to their needs. Over the years, agriculture has undergone many transformations where the seeds came to be genetically modified causing the few peasants were losing their autonomy and food sovereignty. In response to this style flowers Agroecology , understood as a field of knowledge based on a holistic perspective of understanding the phenomena related to food production ( ecological, social and political ) and the discussion of ensuring food sovereignty , in particular the issue of using and preservation of traditional seeds and landraces as opposed aces ' enterprise ' seeds . Contributing to this new way of relating to nature and achievement of autonomy emerge homes Community seed, considered a conservative strategy of maintaining agricultural biodiversity and socio-cultural communities and peoples. This study aimed to understand the houses of seeds are considered strategies of resistance of peasant life against the current model imposed by unsustainable agriculture. Just as understanding the relationships of the peasants (as) with seeds , ways to select , role of women within the homes of seed , cultural aspects and assess whether they constitute conservation of native seeds and know popular tool . The study was conducted in the municipality of Massapê specifically in three communities and one rural settlement which feature homes Community seed. To obtain the data a qualitative -quantitative methodology was used, through interviews and semi-structured questionnaires, participant observation and use of focus group methodology with the research subjects. As results were diagnosed forms of select native seeds that contribute to the maintenance of popular knowledge, the inclusion of women and their struggle for the conquest of space and autonomy. Besides the identification of the subjects from their practices and the relationship of access to land as well as cultural aspects. This sense of community seed houses are configured as a new tool as peasant autonomy, since proposes a new model of development, not only for the field, but for the human population in general. / As experiências de armazenamento e seleção de sementes é uma prática bastante antiga, data desde o início da agricultura, quando os povos antigos começaram a selecionar e melhorar as sementes de acordo com suas necessidades. Ao longo dos anos a agricultura sofreu muitas transformações e uma delas foi o uso de sementes hibridas e geneticamente modificadas na agricultura. Em resposta a este modelo floresce a Agroecologia, entendida com um campo do conhecimento baseado em uma perspectiva holística de compreensão dos fenômenos relacionados à produção de alimentos (ecológico, social e político) e a discussão da garantia de Soberania Alimentar, em especial a questão do uso e preservação das sementes tradicionais ou crioulas em oposição ás 'sementes corporativas'. Contribuindo com essa nova forma de se relacionar com a natureza e conquista de autonomia emergem as casas de sementes comunitárias, considerada uma estratégia de conservação de manutenção da agrobiodiversidade e sociocultural das comunidades e povos. Esse estudo visou compreender se as casas de sementes são consideradas estratégias de resistência da vida camponesa frente ao atual modelo imposto pela agricultura insustentável. Assim como compreender as relações dos camponeses (as) com as sementes, formas de selecionar, papel da mulher dentro das casas de sementes, aspectos culturais e avaliar se constituem ferramenta de conservação das sementes crioulas e do saber popular. O estudo foi realizado no município de Massapê especificamente em três comunidades e um assentamento rural que apresentam casas de sementes comunitárias. Para obtenção dos dados foi utilizada uma metodologia quali-quantitativa, através de entrevistas e questionários semi-estruturadas, observação participante e uso da metodologia com grupos focais com os sujeitos da pesquisa. Como resultados foram diagnosticados as formas de selecionar as sementes crioulas que contribuem para a manutenção do saber popular, a inclusão da mulher e sua luta por conquista de espaços e autonomia. Além da identificação dos sujeitos a partir de suas práticas e da relação do acesso a terra, bem como aspectos culturais. Nesse sentido as casas de sementes comunitárias se configuram como uma nova forma ferramenta de autonomia camponesa, porquanto propõe um novo modelo de desenvolvimento, não apenas para o campo, mas para as populações humanas em geral.

O presente trabalho tem o objetivo de analisar como mudanças nos discursos sobre desenvolvimento que operam na Nicarágua afetam organizações de mulheres rurais no país. A partir de uma abordagem etnográfica, são analisadas as trajetórias e estratégias de duas organizações de mulheres que executam projetos com financiamento de agências de cooperação internacional e que mantêm relação com políticas sociais, buscando perceber como estas relações se vinculam com suas escolhas políticas. Tomo como referência a divisão em três períodos históricos do país, cada um vinculado a um macro-discruso específico sobre desenvolvimento: a Revolução Popular Sandinista na década de 1980, e a guerra que a acompanhou; os dezesseis anos do período neoliberal (1990 – 2006), que vieram acompanhados por um enorme volume de recursos de Ajuda Internacional para o Desenvolvimento (AID); e, a partir de 2007, a volta da Frente Sandinista de Liberación Nacional (FSLN) à presidência do país, marcada por sua aliança econômica com a Venezuela, e pela redução significativa de recursos de AID. O argumento é que estes macro-discursos, apesar de diferentes, se baseiam em lógicas de colonialidade/modernidade que colocam a “mulher rural” como um “outro” atrasado, que deve ser corrigido por algum tipo de desenvolvimento. No entanto, seguindo o desafio do feminismo pós-colonial, a proposta deste trabalho é desconstruir uma visão monolítica sobre “mulheres do terceiro mundo”, evidenciando as particularidades dos processos locais, apesar de compartilharem de elementos nas dinâmicas de estabelecimento de relações de poder em todos os espaços da vida. O trabalho de campo indica que elas constroem diferentes possibilidades a partir da construção de espaços exclusivos de mulheres, que se dá também em relação com discursos sobre desenvolvimento e gênero nacionais e internacionais. / This paper aims to analyze how changes in development discourses operating in Nicaragua affect rural women's organizations in the country. From an ethnographic approach, the trajectories and strategies of two women's organizations running projects with funding from donor agencies and affected by social policies are analyzed, seeking to understand how these relations are linked with their political choices. I take as reference the division into three historical periods of the country, each tied to a specific macro-discrouses on development: the Sandinista Popular Revolution in the 1980s, and the war that followed; sixteen years of the neoliberal period (1990 - 2006), which were accompanied by a huge volume ofresources from Agencies for International Development (AID); and, from 2007, the return of the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) to the presidency of the country, marked by its economic alliance with Venezuela, and the significant reduction of AID resources. The argument is that these macro-discourses, although different, are based on the logic of coloniality / modernity that put the "rural woman" as an "other" that needs to be corrected by pre-established development models. However, following the challenge of post-colonial feminism, the purpose of this paper is to deconstruct a monolithic view of "women of the third world", highlighting the particularities of local processes, even if they share dynamics of power relations in every areas of life. The field work indicates that these women build different possibilities from the creation of exclusive womens spaces, which also happens in relation to national and international development and gender discourses.

O presente trabalho tem o objetivo de analisar como mudanças nos discursos sobre desenvolvimento que operam na Nicarágua afetam organizações de mulheres rurais no país. A partir de uma abordagem etnográfica, são analisadas as trajetórias e estratégias de duas organizações de mulheres que executam projetos com financiamento de agências de cooperação internacional e que mantêm relação com políticas sociais, buscando perceber como estas relações se vinculam com suas escolhas políticas. Tomo como referência a divisão em três períodos históricos do país, cada um vinculado a um macro-discruso específico sobre desenvolvimento: a Revolução Popular Sandinista na década de 1980, e a guerra que a acompanhou; os dezesseis anos do período neoliberal (1990 – 2006), que vieram acompanhados por um enorme volume de recursos de Ajuda Internacional para o Desenvolvimento (AID); e, a partir de 2007, a volta da Frente Sandinista de Liberación Nacional (FSLN) à presidência do país, marcada por sua aliança econômica com a Venezuela, e pela redução significativa de recursos de AID. O argumento é que estes macro-discursos, apesar de diferentes, se baseiam em lógicas de colonialidade/modernidade que colocam a “mulher rural” como um “outro” atrasado, que deve ser corrigido por algum tipo de desenvolvimento. No entanto, seguindo o desafio do feminismo pós-colonial, a proposta deste trabalho é desconstruir uma visão monolítica sobre “mulheres do terceiro mundo”, evidenciando as particularidades dos processos locais, apesar de compartilharem de elementos nas dinâmicas de estabelecimento de relações de poder em todos os espaços da vida. O trabalho de campo indica que elas constroem diferentes possibilidades a partir da construção de espaços exclusivos de mulheres, que se dá também em relação com discursos sobre desenvolvimento e gênero nacionais e internacionais. / This paper aims to analyze how changes in development discourses operating in Nicaragua affect rural women's organizations in the country. From an ethnographic approach, the trajectories and strategies of two women's organizations running projects with funding from donor agencies and affected by social policies are analyzed, seeking to understand how these relations are linked with their political choices. I take as reference the division into three historical periods of the country, each tied to a specific macro-discrouses on development: the Sandinista Popular Revolution in the 1980s, and the war that followed; sixteen years of the neoliberal period (1990 - 2006), which were accompanied by a huge volume ofresources from Agencies for International Development (AID); and, from 2007, the return of the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) to the presidency of the country, marked by its economic alliance with Venezuela, and the significant reduction of AID resources. The argument is that these macro-discourses, although different, are based on the logic of coloniality / modernity that put the "rural woman" as an "other" that needs to be corrected by pre-established development models. However, following the challenge of post-colonial feminism, the purpose of this paper is to deconstruct a monolithic view of "women of the third world", highlighting the particularities of local processes, even if they share dynamics of power relations in every areas of life. The field work indicates that these women build different possibilities from the creation of exclusive womens spaces, which also happens in relation to national and international development and gender discourses.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / As experiÃncias de armazenamento e seleÃÃo de sementes à uma prÃtica bastante antiga, data desde o inÃcio da agricultura, quando os povos antigos comeÃaram a selecionar e melhorar as sementes de acordo com suas necessidades. Ao longo dos anos a agricultura sofreu muitas transformaÃÃes e uma delas foi o uso de sementes hibridas e geneticamente modificadas na agricultura. Em resposta a este modelo floresce a Agroecologia, entendida com um campo do conhecimento baseado em uma perspectiva holÃstica de compreensÃo dos fenÃmenos relacionados à produÃÃo de alimentos (ecolÃgico, social e polÃtico) e a discussÃo da garantia de Soberania Alimentar, em especial a questÃo do uso e preservaÃÃo das sementes tradicionais ou crioulas em oposiÃÃo Ãs 'sementes corporativas'. Contribuindo com essa nova forma de se relacionar com a natureza e conquista de autonomia emergem as casas de sementes comunitÃrias, considerada uma estratÃgia de conservaÃÃo de manutenÃÃo da agrobiodiversidade e sociocultural das comunidades e povos. Esse estudo visou compreender se as casas de sementes sÃo consideradas estratÃgias de resistÃncia da vida camponesa frente ao atual modelo imposto pela agricultura insustentÃvel. Assim como compreender as relaÃÃes dos camponeses (as) com as sementes, formas de selecionar, papel da mulher dentro das casas de sementes, aspectos culturais e avaliar se constituem ferramenta de conservaÃÃo das sementes crioulas e do saber popular. O estudo foi realizado no municÃpio de Massapà especificamente em trÃs comunidades e um assentamento rural que apresentam casas de sementes comunitÃrias. Para obtenÃÃo dos dados foi utilizada uma metodologia quali-quantitativa, atravÃs de entrevistas e questionÃrios semi-estruturadas, observaÃÃo participante e uso da metodologia com grupos focais com os sujeitos da pesquisa. Como resultados foram diagnosticados as formas de selecionar as sementes crioulas que contribuem para a manutenÃÃo do saber popular, a inclusÃo da mulher e sua luta por conquista de espaÃos e autonomia. AlÃm da identificaÃÃo dos sujeitos a partir de suas prÃticas e da relaÃÃo do acesso a terra, bem como aspectos culturais. Nesse sentido as casas de sementes comunitÃrias se configuram como uma nova forma ferramenta de autonomia camponesa, porquanto propÃe um novo modelo de desenvolvimento, nÃo apenas para o campo, mas para as populaÃÃes humanas em geral. / Experiments storage and seed selection is a very ancient practice dating from the beginning of agriculture, when ancient people began to select and improve seed according to their needs. Over the years, agriculture has undergone many transformations where the seeds came to be genetically modified causing the few peasants were losing their autonomy and food sovereignty. In response to this style flowers Agroecology , understood as a field of knowledge based on a holistic perspective of understanding the phenomena related to food production ( ecological, social and political ) and the discussion of ensuring food sovereignty , in particular the issue of using and preservation of traditional seeds and landraces as opposed aces ' enterprise ' seeds . Contributing to this new way of relating to nature and achievement of autonomy emerge homes Community seed, considered a conservative strategy of maintaining agricultural biodiversity and socio-cultural communities and peoples. This study aimed to understand the houses of seeds are considered strategies of resistance of peasant life against the current model imposed by unsustainable agriculture. Just as understanding the relationships of the peasants (as) with seeds , ways to select , role of women within the homes of seed , cultural aspects and assess whether they constitute conservation of native seeds and know popular tool . The study was conducted in the municipality of Massapà specifically in three communities and one rural settlement which feature homes Community seed. To obtain the data a qualitative -quantitative methodology was used, through interviews and semi-structured questionnaires, participant observation and use of focus group methodology with the research subjects. As results were diagnosed forms of select native seeds that contribute to the maintenance of popular knowledge, the inclusion of women and their struggle for the conquest of space and autonomy. Besides the identification of the subjects from their practices and the relationship of access to land as well as cultural aspects. This sense of community seed houses are configured as a new tool as peasant autonomy, since proposes a new model of development, not only for the field, but for the human population in general.

The study looked at the viability of using mobile phones by an academic health library to provide health information to rural women. It is understood that Mobile phones have become household items thereby providing an opportunity for organisation to use them for information delivery. Access to information by individuals is essential in reducing people’s levels of uncertainty especially in matters that relate to growth and survival such as health. The central research question upon which this study was based was, “How can an academic library adopt the use of mobile phones as an information delivery device to enhance access to health information for rural women?” with sub-questions focusing on information needs and sources of health information for women and the adaptation of mobile services within the library. It further looked at appropriate partnership needed in developing mobile services for health information delivery. Reviewed literature revealed that mobile phones are already being used by several organisations in making available information. In particular academic libraries have embraced the mobile revolution by creating mobile services for their users. A qualitative approach was adopted for this study and interviews were used for all the three categories of respondents, who are rural women from Buyengo sub-county, health workers from Kakaire health centre iv and librarians from Albert Cook Medical Library. Findings from the study have shown that in the information era where one’s survival is highly dependent upon information, rural women do not have access to credible sources of health information despite the fact that they have high demand for health information because of the soaring disease burden in rural areas. The study without doubt has led to the establishment that the use of mobile phones to fill this gap is a cost effective and life saving venture which if well set up and implemented will add to the global programmes initiated with the aim of reducing child mortality, maternal deaths and combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases. / Mini Dissertation (MIT)--University of Pretoria, 2015. / Information Science / MIT / Unrestricted

Masters of Science / The present study is an understanding of the relationship that exists between landholding and the reproductive behaviour of rural women in Kenya. Traditional women have rights to cultivate land as well as control income from the resulting crop production but rarely have rights to allocate or alienate land. Men are the rightful owners of the land. When the rightful owner person passes away, the eldest son of the family automatically takes ownership of the land and subsequent care of the family. This period of land ownership supported high fertility rates. However, in current spaces this practice has changed. Land is scarce and people are opting for other alternatives of limiting their family sizes. The aim of the study is to address the dissimilar changes of fertility behaviour among women in rural Kenya. Particularly, landholdings and low fertility behaviour, focusing on how this change happened. Data used is from the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) 2008/2009. We acquire a representative sample size of 6761 women age 15-49 from the data. A multiplicity of statistical parameters like chi-square test, p-value, logistic regression, and multivariate analysis are adopted. In this regard, the relationship that exists between fertility and landholdings leads to large family sizes. In addition, land decrease has lead to the search of alternatives such as education, employment, and increase in age at marriage. The introduction of these factors has promoted smaller family sizes. This study is immensely useful for the policy makers, planners and other interested stakeholders in population and development spheres in this juncture.

The research which forms the basis of this thesis describes rural women’s perceptions of how Camfed education and skills development programmes have improved their lives in the Chikomba rural district in Chivhu, Zimbabwe. The researcher was motivated to carry out this study mainly due to the fact that in most rural societies in Zimbabwe, women are found suffering from social, cultural and political biases in the traditional male dominated society of Zimbabwe. Compared to their male counterparts, women have limited access to educational and employment opportunities and also have less social and political power than men. Being heads of households, women have to carry out the full traditional roles with the added responsibility of household and production management. The purpose of this study was to inform those investing and interested in women’s education about whether, how and the conditions under which women’s education directly improves women’s own lives and decreases poverty in the family and society. Camfed is an organization that advocates for female education particularly in the marginalized and poor parts of the country where poverty remains a barrier to girl’s education. It provides financial resources and establishes innovative education and training programs in order to break the poverty cycle in rural communities and empower women. A quantitative approach was employed in this study using a descriptive survey design, with the emphasis on collecting primary data from the research participants as well as consulting secondary data sources such as books, academic journals, completed and unpublished post-graduate research dissertations and theses. Findings of this study revealed that financial constraints, early marriage, proximity to school, death of parents as well as domestic chores were factors identified by the women that prevented them from completing school and pursuing further studies. The women also describe their perceptions of how education has led to better opportunities and an improved standard of living as they can now afford the basic goods and services. Moreover the participants mentioned how education has provided them with the basic skills to pursue a livelihood which will enable them to enjoy a decent standard of living. The research also found that education is an important determinant of women’s decision making in terms of finances and thereby improves their sense of empowerment. The women talked extensively about how education has raised their self-esteem and how it has enhanced their economic and social independence. At the end of the study and using the acquired information, several recommendations are made for the expansion and increase of programmes that offer incentives to keep girls in school, especially at secondary level where returns for girls are substantially greater in-terms of reducing poverty and improving the wellbeing of individuals.

The African continent has been hit the hardest by the HIV/AIDS epidemic which has seen more women becoming infected than men (Hunter, 2003; UNAIDS, 2004). This has been attributed to the permissible nature of the African culture which is lenient on male promiscuity (Foreman, 1999; Colvin 2000; Leclerc-Madlala 2001; Dube 2003). African women are not only vulnerable to infection but are also vulnerable to negative disclosure experiences when they disclose their status to sexual partners. This double impact of culture has not been addressed by past researches (UNAIDS 2004). The present research thus attempts to fill that gap. It explores the interplay between culture and HIV transmission as well as the interplay between culture and disclosure experiences. The study’s setting is Magunje Township, a rural village in Mashonaland Central province in Zimbabwe. Taking into consideration the limitations of the present analysis, data gathered indicates that African women are vulnerable to both HIV infection and negative disclosure experiences. Their vulnerability also hampers prevention and treatment efforts as it makes them decide to keep their status a secret from sexual partners for fear of losing the financial income tied to sexual partners. The present researcher concludes with some suggestions for policy makers and programme implementers, highlighting the importance of focusing on HIV/AIDS status disclosure as a prevention and treatment method in the absence of a cure for HIV.