Situation of Women in Tepexilotla, Mexico

Abstract

In rural areas, over the years, peasant women and their daughters have been immersed in different situations of discrimination and gender inequality, which have deprived them of enjoying studies at various levels, from basic and secondary education, to vocational education. However, public policies in Mexico have sought to influence the improvement of the quality of life of women, particularly in the last 10 years, actions have been implemented to prevent different forms of discrimination, seeking gender equity in Mexican society and equal opportunities.

In particular, Tepexilotla is a community in the state of Veracruz that, despite being so small, actively seeks its development. In terms of gender, after four years of direct work in this community, changes are beginning in social and family relationships, where rural women participate more and more in their society. Specifically, this has been observed in the Agroecotourism activity, which is emerging as another source of employment and development for the population. This community has received support from the College of Postgraduates for several years to create agro-ecotourism routes and activities (among other research and projects in this micro-region). The activity of Rural Tourism in the community arose as a result of a Comprehensive Participatory Diagnosis of potential projects in the micro-region, where the residents expressed their interest in learning to be tourist guides, because in the area there are vestiges of pre-Hispanic cultures, as well as caves and areas of ecological interest that were detected in this diagnosis as potential resources for the development of this place. Therefore, the project to carry out agro-ecotourism activities arose, which would help to enhance agricultural, ecological and rural tourism activities, from a gender perspective (considering both women and men). In this project, rural women maintain a very active role, which is empowering them in decision-making both within their families and in the community and in the community agroecotourism group of which they have been a part since 2010. Their participation has had a positive impact, not only on themselves, but also on their relationship with men, men and particularly with boys, and now positive changes are also being observed towards the formal education of girls, who are the first generation that was supported to study secondary school.