Methodological experiences with a gender perspective and a territorial approach in the rural areas of Extremadura: women, agrarian activity, and sport

Abstract

This paper presents the methodology applied in the lines of research "women and agricultural activity" and "women and sport", both framed in the Research Project "Gender equality in the rural and municipal areas of Extremadura: diagnosis and proposals”, while reflecting on the methodological problems and the difficulties encountered in the investigation. Among them, the lack of harmony between the data from the official records and the data obtained in the research; bias in the qualitative sample; and the complexity of accessing certain profiles of women in the collection of qualitative data. All this with the ultimate goal of proposing the problematic legal framework that is extracted from the research in relation to the principle of equality and non-discrimination and with the laws that develop it in the field of agrarian and sports activities in the rural areas of Extremadura. To do this, first, the research will be contextualized and a brief theoretical framework will be offered in which to establish the starting hypothesis. Secondly, the methodology used will be described, placing special emphasis on the gender perspective and on the territorial approach, while alluding to the difficulties that arose in data collection. Third, the main data obtained in the research, its contradictions and the bias detected in the qualitative sample will be discussed. Finally, some conclusions will be offered on the suitability of the methodology used in the research and the results that show the lack of effectiveness of the applicable legal framework to achieve real equality for women in rural areas, particularly with regard to the agrarian activity and access to sport.