| Sumario: | This case study from Bu´zi district, Mozambique investigated whether gender equality, in terms
of male and female participation in groups, leads to gender equity in sharing of benefits from
the social capital created through the group. Exploring the complex connection between
gender, groups, and social capital, we found that gender equity is not necessarily achieved
by guaranteeing men and women equal rights through established by-laws, or dealing with
groups as a collective entity. While there were no significant differences in the investment patterns
of men and women in terms of participation in group activities and contribution of communal
work, access to leadership positions and benefits from social capital were unequally
distributed. Compared with men, women further found it difficult to transform social relations
into improved access to information, access to markets, or help in case of need.
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