Volume 7, Issue 3 (SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2026)                   johepal 2026, 7(3): 76-96 | Back to browse issues page

‎ 10.66224/johepal.7.3.76

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Ríos-Echeverri D C, Valencia-Arias A, Gallegos A, Valencia J, Cardona-Acevedo S. (2026). Rural Women's Leadership: Approaches, Enabling Factors and Challenges for Its Recognition and Strengthening. johepal. 7(3), 76-96. doi:10.66224/johepal.7.3.76
URL: http://johepal.com/article-1-1949-en.html
Rural Women's Leadership: Approaches, Enabling Factors and Challenges for Its Recognition and Strengthening
Diana Carolina Ríos-Echeverri , Alejandro Valencia-Arias , Ada Gallegos * , Jackeline Valencia , Sebastián Cardona-Acevedo
Abstract:   (17 Views)
Women's leadership in rural contexts manifests in diverse forms that challenge traditional notions of power, representation, and agency. The latter is understood as the capacity to make autonomous decisions and actively transform the environment. The present article conducts a systematic review of the extant scientific literature, structured in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guideline, aiming to analyse the theoretical perspectives, enabling factors, and structural barriers shaping the consolidation of rural women's leadership. A qualitative-thematic and frequency analysis was conducted on 18 studies indexed in Scopus and Web of Science. Findings reveal that leadership does not primarily develop through formal organizational hierarchies but through socioeconomic empowerment, household decision-making, and community participation. Educational constraints and patriarchal structures represent the main barriers, whereas peer learning networks and collective engagement facilitate leadership processes. The evidence shows a concentration of research on microfinance initiatives in South Asia, highlighting limited attention to regions such as Latin America. The study concludes that intersectional approaches are essential to recognize informal leadership practices and strengthen inclusive, sustainable rural policies.
 
Keywords: Rural Female Leadership, Economic Empowerment, Community Agency, Enabling Factors, Structural Barriers, Systematic Review
     
Type of Study: Research | Subject: Special
Received: 2026/06/27 | Accepted: 2026/09/12 | Published: 2026/09/30
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