By Cristina Dalla Torre
In many rural communities across the globe, gender equality remains a distant goal. Women often face structural barriers – social, economic, political, and cultural – that limit their agency and opportunities. A recent study published by members of MARGISTAR and collaborators offers a compelling glimpse into how Women-Led Social Innovation Initiatives (WLSIIs) are tackling these inequalities through grassroots, community-driven efforts.
Conducted by an international team of researchers, the study investigates five women-led initiatives in Canada, Italy, Lebanon, Morocco, and Serbia. Using grounded theory, we examined how these social innovations promote gender equality by navigating and sometimes transforming the societal structures that traditionally marginalise rural women.
What Are Women-Led Social Innovation Initiatives (WLSIIs)?
WLSIIs are civil society efforts initiated and led by women to improve social practices and empower their communities. These initiatives typically focus on challenges neglected by markets and policy, from education and employment to childcare and cultural identity.
The study adopts a “structure-agency” lens to understand how these initiatives operate. Structures refer to entrenched norms, institutions, and systems that often limit women’s options. Agency, on the other hand, is about women’s ability to act independently, organise collectively, and change their circumstances.
The Case Studies: Five Innovations, Shared Struggles
The five WLSIIs in focus each respond to deeply rooted challenges:
- In Nunavut, Canada, the Miqqut programme offers culturally relevant non-formal education, helping Indigenous women reconnect with traditional knowledge while gaining essential life and literacy skills.
- In South Tyrol, Italy, women farmers provide childcare services based on natural pedagogy, enabling other rural women to return to work while professionalising their own roles.
- In Lebanon, the Jana Al Ayadi cooperative empowers women economically through food production and sales, enhancing their visibility and respect in a male-dominated society.
- In Morocco, the Afoulki cooperative trains rural women in the production and commercialisation of argan oil, enabling them to earn an income and gain autonomy.
- In Serbia, the Vojvođanska kuća enterprise supports marginalised women through employment and upskilling in traditional agriculture.
Each initiative is a response to specific local needs, but they share common features: a drive for self-organisation, reliance on women-to-women networks, and a commitment to building confidence and capacity.
From Self-Confidence to Social Transformation
A key insight from the study is that self-confidence acts as both a catalyst and a consequence of participation in WLSIIs. Women who engage in these initiatives often start with little formal power or voice. Through shared activities such as sewing, farming, or managing cooperatives, the women involved begin to see themselves differently. Confidence leads to greater agency, which in turn encourages more assertive roles in their families and communities.
Equally important are women-to-women networks, which provide safe spaces for sharing, mentoring, and collective problem-solving. These networks not only boost morale but also facilitate knowledge exchange and solidarity, particularly in patriarchal settings where women may otherwise feel isolated.
Structural Change from the Ground Up
WLSIIs also have the potential to shift wider structural dynamics. For instance, through persistent effort, the women farmers in Italy influenced regional policy to recognise and support childcare services on farms. Similarly, the Moroccan cooperative evolved into a regional umbrella organisation, expanding its influence and outreach.
These outcomes show that WLSIIs can reshape the “rules of the game”—not only enabling women to participate more fully in economic life but also challenging the political and cultural norms that keep them marginalised.
However, this kind of change is rarely linear or easy. Initiatives often rely heavily on unpaid work and face funding uncertainties. Success can sometimes come at the cost of burnout, and scaling up may dilute the depth and community connection that made the initiative effective in the first place.
Trade-Offs and Challenges
The study doesn’t shy away from the complexities involved. It identifies five key trade-offs faced by WLSIIs:
- Time vs. Returns – Women invest significant time, often unpaid, with uncertain economic payoff.
- Safe Spaces vs. Wider Influence – Women-only networks empower participants but may struggle to shift broader male-dominated systems.
- Personal Change vs. Structural Constraints – Self-confidence is essential, but cannot alone dismantle entrenched barriers.
- Social vs. Economic Innovation – Community work may overshadow the need for sustainable, paid employment.
- Breaking Stereotypes vs. Reinforcing Them – Bold initiatives can either challenge or inadvertently confirm traditional gender roles.
Policy Implications: Supporting Women’s Collective Agency
The research concludes that women’s collective agency, amplified through WLSIIs, has immense potential to drive change in rural areas. Yet, for these initiatives to thrive and endure, they require more than enthusiasm. Policymakers must recognise and support this work through targeted funding, institutional backing, and efforts to dismantle systemic barriers.
Moreover, WLSIIs must be integrated into broader rural development strategies, not treated as side projects or “soft” interventions. As the case studies show, when women lead from within their communities, the results can be economically, socially, and politically transformative.
Looking Ahead
The study’s grounded approach provides rich, context-sensitive insights into how gender equality can be pursued from the bottom up. While not a panacea, WLSIIs represent a vital and often overlooked force for change. As global efforts to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals continue, recognising the power of local, women-led action will be crucial—especially in regions where structural change is most needed.
The full version of the article can be read in European Countryside.
