Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture in the Semi-Arid: A Case Study of Northeastern Brazil

Gender inequality affects agricultural production and rural households’ capacity to build climate resilience, especially in developing countries. However, empirical research on promoting women’s empowerment in the face of environmental threats is limited, particularly in areas vulnerable to the impact of climate change, such as semi-arid regions. This study identifies factors promoting women’s empowerment in semi-arid regions and the mechanisms behind them. This mixed-methods case study was conducted in a semi-arid area in Northeastern Brazil, utilizing household surveys, key informant interviews, and focus groups. Results show that accessing targeted credit lines and extension services was significantly associated with empowerment. The qualitative findings suggest that adopting participatory mechanisms in policymaking and utilizing feminist pedagogy and popular education in the intervention delivery process was crucial to achieving women’s empowerment in the study area.HIGHLIGHTS Climate change increases risks for rural livelihoods, highlighting the need for resilience.Women’s empowerment is key to bolstering agriculture’s resilience in semi-arid regions, such as northeastern Brazil.Participatory approaches in policy design are crucial for women's empowerment success.Inclusion of feminist pedagogy in interventions enhances rural women’s empowerment.