Challenges and achievements of women workers in the Antônio Júlio settlement

Abstract

The movement for Agrarian Reform gained momentum in the early twentieth century, shaped by the historical struggle of peasants for access to land, decent work, income, freedom, and social equality. The legacy of the slave system and deeply rooted discriminatory social structures delayed this process. Over time, however, social movements gained visibility and fostered important debates on the construction of a national development project aimed at improving the population’s living conditions. This study seeks to examine the working conditions of rural women in the Antônio Júlio Settlement and to analyze how these conditions affect their health, their awareness of their rights, and the promotion of their well-being. This exploratory and descriptive study adopted a qualitative approach, using focus groups as the primary data collection method. The findings indicate that these women face limited access to health services, which exacerbates existing health problems and restricts disease prevention, treatment, and health promotion initiatives. At the same time, their rural way of life and work practices appear to function as protective factors for their physical and social well-being. Addressing these challenges is essential for the development and implementation of more effective public policies tailored to the specific needs of women workers in the agricultural sector.