Impacto del rol productivo y de cuidado en la vida de las mujeres comerciantes. Estudio con madres de niños de 3 a 6 años que habitan en el cantón Bucay.

Abstract

This research aims to understand the impact of the productive and caregiving roles that women merchants in the General Antonio Elizalde Canton perform daily in 2025, in order to identify any existing inequalities. In all societies, the gendered division of labor defines gender relations and establishes which activities men and women should perform. The idea that women should be responsible for the home, raising children, and caring for others, while men are responsible for working and generating income to support the family, has become ingrained. Regarding the main findings of this study, the following was observed: When women engage in productive roles, they face the likelihood of encountering barriers that could prevent them from obtaining employment. These barriers are linked to the demands of maternal care, which prioritize their children's health over their economic activity, thus interrupting income and perpetuating financial vulnerability.