Khetam Edress* ⁽¹⁾ and Nissren Edress ⁽¹⁾

(1). Homs Center For Scientific Agricultural Research, General commission For scientific Agricultural   research (GCSAR), Syria.

(*Corrsponding author: Khetam Edress. E-Mail: Vera_naya@yahoo.com).

Received: 19/11/2019                                Accepted: 13/1/2020

Abstract

The objective of the research is to study the impact of the Syrian crisis on various aspects related to the social, economic and cultural conditions affecting women’s decision on food processing at home. Primary data were collected using a questionnaire for rural married women in agricultural families affected by the crisis in Homs Governorate during 2017. The sample size was (150). The research employed descriptive analysis, Chi Square, Gamma and Kramer coefficient to study the correlation relationships. In addition, ordinal regression was used to determine the most important variables affecting the decision of women on food processing. An index, of the role of women in improving household income through domestic agriculture and local traditional industries, was built using literature review and previous relevant studies. The results showed that (34%) of women have a low role and (30%) have an average role while (36%) have a high role in improving the income of their families,   as  showed significant positive relations between women`s motivation for work and cultural openness, the extent to which women own land and animals, the number of females aged 14 within the family and the role of women in improving the household income. This relationship was negative with standard of living of these families. It was concluded that women`s work had a good impact on empowerment of rural women and activating their economic and social role.  In addition, it increased household income improving the standard of living.

Keyword: Rural woman, Empowerment, domestic food processing, ordinal regression.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF