Forgotten Roles of Women in the Agricultural Sector
The “Empower Her” project in Egypt, implemented in collaboration with and under the patronage of the Slovenian Embassy in Cairo, aims to bridge the gap between gender equality and environmental sustainability through integrated legal solutions for rural women’s rights. The project seeks to empower women in rural communities by addressing legal challenges, promoting legal awareness through outreach campaigns, and providing affordable legal access. Additionally, it aims to enhance sustainable environmental practices, improve health conditions, and reduce pollution.
Study Focus
The study involved a comprehensive analysis of the situation, examining Egypt’s legal and environmental frameworks, particularly in the Delta region. The aim was to identify gender gaps and propose solutions to foster inclusion. Our methodology adopted a participatory and evidence-based approach, combining extensive desk research, stakeholder consultations, and data analysis to assess key challenges and opportunities. Emphasis was placed on integrating gender-sensitive practices throughout the study to ensure that the recommendations were evidence-based and responsive to the diverse needs of rural women and other stakeholders.
Women’s Empowerment and Economic Impact
Research indicates that empowering women and granting them decision-making roles positively impacts economic security at both family and national levels. Women are more attuned to the daily lives of families, forming impressions closer to local realities and addressing individual needs comprehensively. Conversely, men often rely on visual and printed media, which typically present less localized perspectives. The limited access to resources and lack of social protection infrastructure push women toward community-based solutions that ensure stability for themselves and others.
Household Dynamics and Decision-Making
Microjustice conducted a study involving 101 Egyptian participants. The majority (88%) reported living with their husbands, 8% lived with their parents, 3% lived alone or shared accommodations, and 1% lived with in-laws. Regarding household decision-making, 86% of participants identified their husbands as the primary decision-makers, 5% cited their fathers, 3% their mothers, and 6% considered themselves as decision-makers.
Financially, only 7% of participants were the primary breadwinners, while 50% contributed regularly to family income and 44% contributed seasonally. These findings highlight the pivotal roles of husbands in decision-making and the significant contributions women make to their families, whether as primary providers or seasonal contributors.
Contributions and Low Wages
All 101 participants reported being employed, with 81% working for others and 11% engaged in land-based projects. Within agriculture, 96% of respondents confirmed involvement, underlining its critical economic role in the target provinces. Most participants (91%) worked on short-term oral contracts, while only 9% had permanent contracts.
Regarding agricultural activities, 78% participated in harvesting, making it the most common activity. Additionally, 38% worked in land cultivation, 36% in livestock and poultry raising, and 34% in weeding. The data emphasize labor-intensive activities like harvesting, cultivation, and animal husbandry, while specialized or home-based agricultural work was less common.
Family Cooperation and Support
About 92% of participants had family members working alongside them, with 86% supported by their husbands. Additionally, 5% were supported by their fathers. These results highlight familial collaboration in work, especially the role of husbands in supporting agricultural and other economic activities.
Participants shared detailed accounts of family members’ roles, particularly husbands, who often described themselves as farmers or agricultural workers. They performed tasks like land cultivation, crop harvesting, and transportation of agricultural products. Some men balanced agricultural work with other jobs, such as construction or cheese and carton manufacturing, enhancing family income. Family members often worked together in agricultural activities, supplementing household earnings.
Economic Vulnerability and Housing Stability
Income data revealed that 33% of participants earned between 1,000 and 2,000 EGP monthly, the most common range. Meanwhile, 28% earned between 2,000 and 3,000 EGP, and 15% earned 3,000 to 4,000 EGP. Notably, 14% earned less than 1,000 EGP monthly, indicating significant economic vulnerability. Only 11% earned more than 4,000 EGP. These figures highlight low income levels, with over 75% earning 3,000 EGP or less.
Regarding housing, 75% of participants lived in homes under informal family transfer arrangements, often viewed as familial “gifts” or inheritances without formal contracts. About 20% owned homes outright, and only 5% rented. The findings underscore the economic challenges participants face and the reliance on informal housing transfers to secure accommodations.
Overlooked Contributions and Hidden Needs
Women’s domestic and agricultural work is often undervalued, perceived as family contributions rather than structured employment. Women face workplace challenges, including dismissal upon marriage or motherhood, which forces them to conceal personal needs at work.
