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

Zapata-Carnaqué E.M.; Alza-Salvatierra V.J.; Andrade-Agudelo D.L. · Proceedings of the LACCEI international Multi-conference for Engineering, Education and Technology (2026) · DOI: 10.18687/laccei2026.1.1.2139

Resumen

Gender-based violence constitutes a persistent social problem that disproportionately affects women, particularly in contexts of economic vulnerability. In this context, states have promoted the development of microenterprises as a potential strategy to strengthen women's autonomy and empowerment, thereby transforming 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, contributes to the reduction of gender-based violence, which remains highly prevalent in Latin American countries. The study was conducted in two phases: an initial systematic literature review, followed by a second phase based on semi-structured interviews to examine the narratives of women entrepreneurs linked to microenterprises. The findings show that economic empowerment is perceived as a factor that promotes autonomy, enhances bargaining power within the household, and increases the visibility of rights. However, although it contributes to mitigating gender-based violence, it does not eliminate it on its own. Likewise, structural, social, cultural, and institutional limitations are identified, which condition the scope of these processes. It is concluded that microenterprises can play a significant role in transforming contexts of violence when they are articulated with public policies, support, and formalization programs, and comprehensive social intervention strategies.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional de Trujillo; Universidad Católica Santo Toribio de Mogrovejo