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The invisible labour in agriculture: Agricultural extension and the role of organisations in shaping gender equity in Guatemala

Kupcova, Zuzana LU (2026) In IIIEE Master Thesis IMEM01 20261
The International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics
Abstract
Women play a crucial role in the agricultural sector worldwide, yet their contributions remain
largely informal and unrecognised. They face persistent structural barriers and invisible labour
burdens, receiving only around 5% of agricultural extension services (knowledge, training, and
advisory services offered to farmers by governments, NGOs, and other institutions) globally.
This study investigates how organisations implement gender approaches in practice, examining
the conditions under which these contribute to tangible improvements in women's lives. It
identifies the barriers constraining gender-responsive extension delivery and proposes pathways
to strengthen it, advancing women's empowerment and gender equity in rural... (More)
Women play a crucial role in the agricultural sector worldwide, yet their contributions remain
largely informal and unrecognised. They face persistent structural barriers and invisible labour
burdens, receiving only around 5% of agricultural extension services (knowledge, training, and
advisory services offered to farmers by governments, NGOs, and other institutions) globally.
This study investigates how organisations implement gender approaches in practice, examining
the conditions under which these contribute to tangible improvements in women's lives. It
identifies the barriers constraining gender-responsive extension delivery and proposes pathways
to strengthen it, advancing women's empowerment and gender equity in rural communities.
Drawing on Feminist Political Economy as it is theoretical lens, this study employs a qualitative,
multiple case-study design comparing two organisations of similar position and scope. Data was
collected through eight semi-structured interviews, complemented by document analysis and a
literature review, and analysed using an abductive, hybrid coding approach, grounded in both
theory and data. This research identified three main categories of barriers to women’s extension:
institutional, structural, and intersectional. A striking finding was the observed gap between
theoretical and policy commitments and practice, observed across how organisations design,
implement, and evaluate the gender approaches analysed. Lastly, a model with three
interconnected pathways was developed including structural change, operational transformation
and community-grounded approaches, to identify specific actions through which organisations
can further enhance gender equity between rural communities in Guatemala. This thesis
highlights that barriers, organisational practices, and opportunities for change are deeply
interconnected, demanding nuanced, sustained responses rather than generalised solutions,
recognising that progress in one area can generate transformative ripple effects across others. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Kupcova, Zuzana LU
supervisor
organization
course
IMEM01 20261
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Gender equality, Women’s empowerment, Socio-economic development, Agricultural extension, Guatemala
publication/series
IIIEE Master Thesis
report number
2026:13
ISSN
1401-9191
language
English
id
9247763
date added to LUP
2026-08-10 10:18:31
date last changed
2026-08-10 10:18:31
@misc{9247763,
  abstract     = {{Women play a crucial role in the agricultural sector worldwide, yet their contributions remain
largely informal and unrecognised. They face persistent structural barriers and invisible labour
burdens, receiving only around 5% of agricultural extension services (knowledge, training, and
advisory services offered to farmers by governments, NGOs, and other institutions) globally.
This study investigates how organisations implement gender approaches in practice, examining
the conditions under which these contribute to tangible improvements in women's lives. It
identifies the barriers constraining gender-responsive extension delivery and proposes pathways
to strengthen it, advancing women's empowerment and gender equity in rural communities.
Drawing on Feminist Political Economy as it is theoretical lens, this study employs a qualitative,
multiple case-study design comparing two organisations of similar position and scope. Data was
collected through eight semi-structured interviews, complemented by document analysis and a
literature review, and analysed using an abductive, hybrid coding approach, grounded in both
theory and data. This research identified three main categories of barriers to women’s extension:
institutional, structural, and intersectional. A striking finding was the observed gap between
theoretical and policy commitments and practice, observed across how organisations design,
implement, and evaluate the gender approaches analysed. Lastly, a model with three
interconnected pathways was developed including structural change, operational transformation
and community-grounded approaches, to identify specific actions through which organisations
can further enhance gender equity between rural communities in Guatemala. This thesis
highlights that barriers, organisational practices, and opportunities for change are deeply
interconnected, demanding nuanced, sustained responses rather than generalised solutions,
recognising that progress in one area can generate transformative ripple effects across others.}},
  author       = {{Kupcova, Zuzana}},
  issn         = {{1401-9191}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{IIIEE Master Thesis}},
  title        = {{The invisible labour in agriculture: Agricultural extension and the role of organisations in shaping gender equity in Guatemala}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}