Rural Revival: Can Social Economy Bridge the Gender Gap and Boost Communities?

Mira Elwood in Culture & Society August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Explore how social economy initiatives are empowering women, bridging the gender gap, and driving sustainable growth in rural areas. Learn about successful strategies and policies that foster equality and economic resilience."

In an era marked by increasing awareness of gender inequality and the urgent need for sustainable development, rural communities face unique challenges. Socioeconomic disparities often widen in these areas, disproportionately affecting women, who experience the combined disadvantages of gender and geographic location. However, these very challenges present opportunities for innovative solutions.

The social economy, with its emphasis on cooperation, solidarity, and equity, emerges as a powerful tool for addressing these disparities. By prioritizing social impact over profit, social economy enterprises can empower women, create economic opportunities, and foster community resilience in rural areas. This approach not only promotes gender equality but also contributes to the overall revitalization of these often-overlooked regions.

This article delves into the potential of the social economy to bridge the gender gap and drive sustainable growth in rural communities, drawing on insights and examples from across the globe. It examines the strategies, policies, and real-world initiatives that are making a difference, offering a roadmap for creating more equitable and prosperous rural futures.

Understanding the Gender Gap in Rural Areas: Why is it Wider?

Empowered women transforming rural communities through social enterprise.

The gender gap, a pervasive issue worldwide, often manifests more acutely in rural areas. Several factors contribute to this disparity, creating a complex web of challenges for women living in these communities. These challenges range from economic limitations and lack of access to services to deeply ingrained social norms and expectations.

One of the primary drivers of the wider gender gap in rural areas is limited economic opportunity. Traditional industries, such as agriculture, often favor male participation, while women may face barriers to entry or advancement. The lack of diverse employment options further restricts women's economic independence and limits their ability to contribute to the community's prosperity.

Limited Access to Resources: Rural women often have less access to education, healthcare, financial services, and technology, hindering their ability to start businesses, improve their skills, and participate fully in economic activities.
Social Norms and Expectations: Traditional gender roles can be more entrenched in rural communities, placing disproportionate responsibility on women for household chores, childcare, and elder care, limiting their time and opportunities for paid employment or education.
Lack of Infrastructure and Services: Inadequate transportation, childcare facilities, and other essential services can make it difficult for women to balance work and family responsibilities, further restricting their participation in the workforce.
Political Under-representation: Women are often under-represented in local decision-making bodies, limiting their ability to influence policies and programs that address their specific needs and challenges.

Addressing the wider gender gap in rural areas requires a multi-faceted approach that tackles these underlying challenges. This includes promoting diverse economic opportunities, improving access to resources and services, challenging harmful social norms, and empowering women to participate fully in political and economic life. The social economy offers a promising framework for achieving these goals, providing a pathway towards more equitable and sustainable rural communities.

The Path Forward: A Call to Action

The journey towards gender equality and sustainable development in rural communities is a complex but achievable one. By recognizing the unique challenges faced by women in these areas and embracing the power of the social economy, we can pave the way for a more equitable and prosperous future. This requires a concerted effort from policymakers, community leaders, social entrepreneurs, and individuals alike.

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.5209/rev_reve.2011.v105.4, Alternate LINK

Title: Economía Social E Igualdad De Oportunidades En El Ámbito Rural. Un Análisis Aplicado A La Comunidad Autónoma De Castilla Y León

Subject: Economics and Econometrics

Journal: REVESCO. Revista de Estudios Cooperativos

Publisher: Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM)

Authors: Margarita Rico González, Jesús María Gómez García

Published: 2011-09-08

Everything You Need To Know

What specific challenges contribute to the wider gender gap in rural areas?

The wider gender gap in rural areas is caused by several interconnected challenges, including limited economic opportunities, which often favor male participation in traditional industries like agriculture. Rural women also face limited access to resources like education, healthcare, financial services, and technology. Additionally, deeply ingrained social norms and expectations place disproportionate responsibility on women for household chores and childcare. Finally, inadequate infrastructure and under-representation in political decision-making bodies further restrict women's participation in economic and political life.

How can the social economy empower women and drive sustainable growth in rural communities?

The social economy empowers women by prioritizing social impact over profit, creating economic opportunities through social enterprises that address community needs. These enterprises foster cooperation, solidarity, and equity, leading to more inclusive and sustainable development. The social economy helps create more diverse employment options, promotes access to essential services, challenges harmful social norms, and empowers women to participate in local decision-making, ultimately revitalizing rural communities.

What strategies and policies can be implemented to foster equality and economic resilience in rural areas through the social economy?

Fostering equality and economic resilience requires a multi-faceted approach. Strategies include promoting diverse economic opportunities that move beyond traditional industries and improve access to education, healthcare, financial services, and technology for rural women. Policies should focus on challenging harmful social norms through community programs and empowering women to participate fully in political and economic life by supporting women's leadership and representation in local government and businesses. Furthermore, investment in infrastructure like transportation and childcare facilities is crucial to support women's participation in the workforce.

Why is the gender gap often more pronounced in rural areas compared to urban settings?

The gender gap is often wider in rural areas because of a combination of factors not always as prevalent in urban settings. Limited economic opportunities are a major factor, with traditional industries like agriculture often favoring male participation. Additionally, rural women typically have less access to critical resources such as education, healthcare, financial services, and technology. Social norms and expectations regarding gender roles tend to be more entrenched in rural communities, placing a disproportionate burden of household chores and childcare on women. The lack of adequate infrastructure and services, as well as under-representation in political decision-making, exacerbates these challenges, leading to a more pronounced gender gap.

What role do policymakers, community leaders, and social entrepreneurs play in bridging the gender gap and boosting rural communities through the social economy?

Policymakers can create supportive legal and regulatory frameworks that promote social enterprises and prioritize gender equality. They can also allocate resources towards programs that address the specific needs of rural women, such as access to education, healthcare, and financial services. Community leaders play a crucial role in challenging harmful social norms and fostering a culture of inclusivity and empowerment. They can also support local initiatives that promote women's leadership and participation in decision-making processes. Social entrepreneurs can create innovative businesses that address social needs and create economic opportunities for women. They can also serve as role models and mentors, inspiring other women to start their own businesses and become leaders in their communities. A concerted effort from all stakeholders is essential for achieving gender equality and sustainable development in rural communities through the social economy.