Ecuador's informal sector : an analysis of gender and empowerment programs

Graduation date: 2007Over the last 25 years structural adjustment programs have challenged\ud Ecuador's ability to provide adequate social services and employment opportunities.\ud In the wake of these policies, many women have turned to non-governmental agencies\ud for possible solutions and assistance. Empowerment programs as a form of\ud development work in particular have been used as a tool for personal, social and\ud economic betterment.\ud This thesis examines the effectiveness of empowerment programs offered in\ud Quito, Ecuador. Through qualitative interviews, this research reflects the opinions\ud held by women working in the informal sector and their interpretations of\ud empowerment programs. They suggest that empowerment programs are both process\ud and goal oriented, offering tangible and intangible benefits. Furthermore, they must\ud be designed on a grassroots level and sensitive to cultural and political environments if\ud they are to be successful