Qualitative study on women’s economic empowerment through microenterprises and their perceived role in reducing gender-based violence

Abstract

Gender-based violence is a persistent social problem that disproportionately affects women, especially in contexts of economic vulnerability. In this context, states have promoted the formation of micro-enterprises as a potential strategy to strengthen women's autonomy and empowerment and thereby transform unequal power relations. The objective of this study is to analyze the perceptions, experiences, and mechanisms through which women's economic empowerment, through their participation in microenterprises, would contribute to reducing situations of gender-based violence that are so prevalent in countries such as those in Latin America. An exploratory qualitative approach was adopted, using in-depth interviews and thematic analysis to examine the accounts of women entrepreneurs linked to microenterprises. The study focuses on understanding how income generation that leads to increased self-esteem, economic decision-making, and expanded social networks influences personal and family dynamics from the perspective of the women interviewed. The results show that economic empowerment is perceived as a factor that promotes autonomy, bargaining power in the home, and the visibility of rights, contributing to, but unfortunately not eliminating, gender-based violence on its own. Likewise, limitations are identified as structural, social, cultural, and institutional factors that condition the scope of these processes. It is concluded that microenterprises can play a significant role in transforming contexts of violence when they are coordinated with public policies, support, and formalization programs, and comprehensive social intervention strategies.