Gender co-operative

Women’s disadvantages in the world of work and in society in general motivated the author to approach the gender and labour perspective as an important element of analysis as a strategy for sustainable local development. The study involved all seven participants in a gender co-operative in a municipality in the south of Minas Gerais. In the participants’ perception, their quality of life was positively impacted by their increased autonomy and self-esteem, their entry into the labour market via a gender cooperative, and their effective contribution to the environment and urban development, promoting environmental awareness. Solidarity initiatives such as the gender cooperative, which is the focus of this book, make it possible to reduce social problems and encourage the creation of productive enterprises that contribute significantly to sustainable local development.