EDUCATION AND EMPOWERMENT OF RURAL WOMEN: THEIR IMPACT ON ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN MADAGASCAR

Management

This study examines how access to education influences the ability of women living in rural areas to actively contribute to economic and social progress in the commune of Mahazoarivo Fandriana, Madagascar. It addresses the key question: "Does the current state of education and training meet the needs of rural Malagasy women?" The article aims to characterize the education and training levels of these women in order to better promote their role in development. The hypothesis is that women’s educational attainment significantly determines their participation in the rural development process. Using a systemic approach that combines surveys, interviews, direct observations, and statistical analysis, the study sampled 126 women aged 18 to 60 from five Fokontany. The findings reveal that education is a fundamental factor in fostering both individual and collective autonomy among women. Women with secondary or higher education have better access to economic resources, are more involved in local initiatives, and actively participate in community decision-making. Conversely, women with low educational levels often remain confined to subordinate roles, with limited access to formal employment and economic support programs. However, sociocultural barriers such as patriarchal norms and domestic responsibilities continue to restrict the scope of empowerment, even among educated women. This highlights the need for integrated actions, including functional literacy, context-specific vocational training, and social transformation through the engagement of local stakeholders. The study offers practical recommendations to enhance economic inclusion and social justice in rural areas by providing education that is both relevant and accessible to all women.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.