GENDER AND LEADERSHIP OF AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVES: THE CASE OF CAMBODIA
Open Access
- Author:
- Huot, Sovanneary
- Graduate Program:
- Rural Sociology
- Degree:
- Master of Science
- Document Type:
- Master Thesis
- Date of Defense:
- March 05, 2020
- Committee Members:
- Leif Jensen, Thesis Advisor/Co-Advisor
Ann R. Tickamyer, Committee Member
Ricky M. Bates, Committee Member
David R. Ader, Committee Member
Kathryn Jo Brasier, Program Head/Chair - Keywords:
- Gender
leadership
agriculture
women’s empowerment
cooperatives
Cambodia - Abstract:
- Gender inequality in the agriculture sector remains a global concern. There is increasing evidence that having women in leadership roles is critical to foster gender equity. Cambodia is marked by a lack of women representatives in leadership and decision-making positions at every level, a problem that is clearly seen in agriculture. There are only a few reports on women and leadership in Cambodia. In particular, there is a need to better understand financial and time constraints for women in acquiring leadership positions. In this study, I examine the representation of women in leadership positions, document the extent and nature of women’s decision-making power, and describe the barriers they face in acquiring and continuing in leadership roles. Qualitative data were gathered through focus group discussions and key informant interviews within two agricultural cooperatives in Siem Reap and Battambang province in Cambodia. This thesis finds that women in these two cooperatives do have leadership opportunities and seem to enjoy equal power as male leaders. However, women face challenges in acquiring and participating in leadership roles. Obstacles include domestic work burden, which limits time for activities outside the farmstead, low education, which inhibits capacity and confidence in being able to serve as leaders, and lack of proper compensation tied to leadership positions. The study concludes that if government agencies, policymakers, donors, NGOs, and others want women to play a greater leadership role, they need to reduce the interrelated constraints of time poverty, lack of capacity, and insufficient compensation.