Socioeconomic and political characterization of women in the Bajo Lempa territory and in the Bahía de Jiquilisco

Abstract

Objective: explore the socioeconomic and political situation of women in the Bajo Lempa and Bahía de Jiquilisco territory, who participate in the processes promoted by the Mangle Association. Methodology: exploratory study carried out with 104 women from 10 communities in the Bajo Lempa and Bahía de Jiquilisco territory, in November 2022. A questionnaire was elaborated to record demographic information, housing and services, water and sanitation, health, economic activities and participation dynamics. The PSPP program was used to perform descriptive statistical analysis. Results: The majority of women are between 31 and 50 years old (56.7%), 62.5% expressed having completed some grade of primary school, 92.3% are dedicated to domestic work. 76.9% live in their own home, 92.3% have electricity, 72.1% have home water service and 98% have sanitary service. For the most part, they do not adequately manage gray water and solid waste. 91.3% stated that women in the community are examined to prevent cervical-uterine cancer and 68.3% stated that they are examined to prevent breast cancer. 75% of women's families raise poultry. Economic activities are carried out mainly for family consumption. 70.2% of women stated that they did not belong to any organization, although 99% recognized the importance of women's participation. Conclusion: Women who actively participate in the processes promoted by the Mangle Association have two great advantages, the first is that they have a productive material base that allows them basic conditions to carry out subsistence activities. The second advantage is that they are aware of the importance of the organization and at least close to a third is active in the Bajo Lempa and Bahía de Jiquilisco territory.