International Journal of Agriculture and Crop Sciences.
Available online at www.ijagcs.com
IJACS/2013/5-18/2163-2171
ISSN 2227-670X ©2013 IJACS Journal
Rural women's empowerment modeling in Sari
Township
Mehdi Charmchian Langerodi*1 and Seyed Abdolhamid Hashemi Sadati2
1. Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Sari Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sari, Iran.
2. Jihad-Agriculture Organization of Mazandaran Province.
*Corresponding Author email: Mcharmchian2004@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT: The overall aim of this research was modeling the rural women's empowerment in Sari
Township. To achieve this aim, women's empowerment indicators and affecting factors on women's
empowerment were identified in Sari Township. The statistical population included 111124 women
living in the rural areas of Sari Township. Women were selected through stratified random sampling
technique. The sample size was determined using Cochran’s formula. A sample of 293 women were
taken randomly. Research methodology applied in this study was a combination of descriptiveanalytical and quantitative methods. Also cronbach’s alpha was 0.85. The average age of women in
rural areas was 46.33 years and 86.3 percent of rural women in Sari had more than 11 years
experience of working in agriculture sector. The average family size was 4 per family and 65 percent
had no savings. Also, 62 percent of the women's empowerment variance in rural areas of sari is
determined by six factors of communication, women's loan source, methods and approaches,
obstacles, solutions and education. The most effective factor on women's empowerment in rural
areas of Sari was women's loan source with path coefficient of 0.423. Other rural women were the
most important rural women's loan source. The most useful method from the rural women's
perspective was group methods such as training workshops on processing agricultural products. The
major Obstacle to rural women's empowerment was women’s distrust to each other and the main
solution to cope was to give loans and credits to rural women.
Keywords: Empowerment indicators, modeling, rural women, Sari
INTRODUCTION
During recent years the concept of farmer empowerment has been put on the agenda and is now an
integral part of many development organizations’ and NGOs’ policies for supporting agricultural and rural
development (Danida, 2004). The word empowerment was more prevalent in the 1990s (Ilyes, 2003).
Over the past twenty years, the imperative role of rural women in development issues such as
providing food security, environmental sustainability, poverty eradication, population control and social
development for the international community becomes exceedingly clear (Shabanalifami, 2007). Empowering
women is one of the most pivotal issues in the development of all countries around the world. In all countries,
especially developing countries, there are some programs associated with the empowering process (World
Bank, 2005).
Empowering women means that they should have no shame toward showing their ability and their
behavior and words are full of confidence and assurance, and they are able to assess their own right and true
knowledge and are aware of their own inner talents and limitations and have the strength to face the difficulties,
besides having the ability to achieve their goals with their capacity to be able to reach the desired goals (Ketabi,
2003).
The most important step to empower is the starting position which is located within individuals
(Shadlou, 2000). In order to farmers’ empowerment, we must first move within the intellectual and attitudinal
changes in a farmer (Riahi, 2006). Extension is an important tool for establishing voluntary change in
individuals (Roling and Engel, 1999). Also, empowerment begins with the most helpless people (the poor and
the neglected ones such as women) and causes people to be brought out into the development process
(Cheston and Khun, 2002).
Women are the heart of socio - economic development of every nation (Pereka, 1998). They make up
half the world's population. They do two-thirds of the world's work and only own one- tenth of the world's
income and one- hundredth of the world's assets (Marufi and Hamidi, 2001). Empowering women is not only
useful for women but also is beneficial to the whole family. Women do not get something for their savings, but
Intl J Agri Crop Sci. Vol., 5 (18), 2163-2171, 2013
rather they spend all their income for their families. However, men only bring 50 to 68 percent of their income to
home (Chant, 1989). So, investment on improving the economic status of women would have a much higher
effect compared to that of the men in the family (Cheston and Khun, 2002). According to the 2006 Census in
Iran, almost 22 million people live in rural areas including 11.23 million men and 10.89 million women out of
whom 111124 women live in the rural areas of Sari (Iran Statistical Center, 2006). Some studies on
empowerment are presented in Table 1.
Table 1. Experts' comments on the empowerment
Expert (s)
Namvong and Baconguis,
2010
Africa Partnership Forum,
2007
Aud solving, 2007
Ketchum and Trist, 2006
Alsop et al., 2005
Shaditalab, 2003
Fleming, 2000
Hollander and Offerman,
1990
(World Bank, 1996), (World
Bank, 2002) and (Namvong
and Baconguis, 2010)
Rivera and Coming, 1990
Subject
Farmers-based approaches will empower farmers.
To implement the empowerment for African women, women should have equal right regarding
the inheriting land laws, social laws should be passed in favor of women and there should be
legislation protecting women and small entrepreneurs.
The empowerment process is a difficult and complex process
While it may cost more to empower people, but the benefits of the empowerment are higher
than the cost.
Indicators that directly measure the empowerment including the ability to access manufacturing
inputs, having access or using of credit, having access to infrastructure and information and the
ability and the effect to control life choices and participating in social decision-making.
Various parameters such as promoting innovative ideas and training economic skills are
involved in women's empowerment.
Training is an essential component in the empowerment process.
Participative leadership style is one of the main factors in individuals empowerment.
Empowerment is the major cause of capabilities development that will enable people to manage
projects better.
Extension play an important role in promoting the women's empowerment.
To empower farmers, we have to focus on factors such as knowledge or skill training (Cheston and Khan,
2002 and Albee, 1994, Fleming, 2000), appropriate methods(Danida, 2004), membership in one of the grass
roots organizations (Alsop et al., 2005), forming self-help groups (Chidambaram, 2004), micro-credit (World
Bank, 2005 and Arora, 2011), individuals' self-confident (Dover, 1995), education, trust within the group, access
to resources, political support(Spreitzer, 1995) and sharing experiences with each other in decision-making on
various matters (Cheston and Khan, 2002 and Albee, 1994).
In this study, in order to explain and determine the empowerment, the indicators such as selfdetermination, competence, meaning, impact and trust were used. Self- determination signifies people’ freedom
to choose the way they like to carry out their work. Competence designates the fact that people believe they
have the skills and abilities necessary to perform their tasks. Moreover, meaning stands for the valuable work
done by empowered persons. Impact represents the point that people should be allowed to have effect and on
their surroundings and they must be assured that their decision will be taken into account. Finally, trust denotes
the verity that people feel confident that they are treated fairly and equally (Bendar and Peterson, 2006, Lee
and Koh, 2001, Hancer and Georg, 2005, Rosenberg, 1976, Denison, 1984, Thomas and Velthous, 1990 and
Borghei et al., 2010).
The various roles that the society has placed on women, particularly rural women, demands a multiple
management requiring the empowerment of rural women. Thus, the overall aim of this research was modeling
the rural women's empowerment in Sari Township. To achieve this goal, the women's empowerment indicators
and the factors influencing it were identified.
MATRERIALS AND METHODS
Research methodology applied in this study was a combination of descriptive-analytical and
quantitative methods. The statistical population included 111124 women living in the rural areas of Sari
Township (Iran Statistical Center, 2006). The sample size was determined using Cochran’s formula and 293
rural women were selected and 270 women completed the questionnaires. The stratified random sampling with
proportional allocation formula based on the population in different parts of Sari was conducted in this study.
The content validity of questionnaires were measured by a group of extension specialists. In order to
investigate the reliability of research questionnaire, 30 women were randomly selected and they completed the
questionnaire. Also cronbach’s alpha was 0.85. Data collected was analyzed using the Statistical Package for
the Social Sciences (SPSS).
The questionnaire included questions about age, farming work experience, number of family members,
the rural women family's financial difficulties, having savings, using radio and television, books, magazines and
newspapers and the Internet, communication, women's loan source, methods and approaches, obstacles and
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Intl J Agri Crop Sci. Vol., 5 (18), 2163-2171, 2013
solutions. The rural women's empowerment indicators identified through using exploratory factor analysis. The
exploratory factor analysis of the rural women's empowerment in Sari are shown in Table 2 and 3.
Table 2. The exploratory factor analysis of the rural women's empowerment in Sari Township
Factor
Competence
Impact
Meaning
Trust
Self- determination
Extraction Sums of Squared Loadings
Total
% of Variance
Cumulative %
10.564
26.410
26.410
3.570
8.926
35.336
2.724
6.809
42.145
2.459
6.148
48.293
2.392
5.979
54.272
KMO= 0.89
Bartlett's Test= 5522.85
Rotation Sums of Squared Loadings
Total
% of Variance
Cumulative %
5.678
14.195
14.195
4.266
10.664
24.860
4.180
10.449
35.309
3.895
9.737
45.046
3.691
9.227
54.272
P=0.000
Table 3. Exploratory factor analysis of variables related to the the rural women’s empowerment in Sari Township
Factor
Competence
Impact
Meaning
Trust
Selfdetermination
Variable
Factor loading
Having the desire and ability to get things done based on your wishes
Having a clear and lucid plan for the future
The immediate adoption of new methods
Problem finding and solving
Having the ability to use creative and innovative methods
Having the ability to build a better life
Focusing on all the solutions
Taking the initiatives in doing the works
Being serious in doing the tasks
Taking the risk in doing the tasks
Expressing self financial comments
Rural women's role in family income
The need for men and women’s cooperation
Promoting the information in processing the agricultural products
Women’s earning money as men
Doing group work
Increasing the rural women’s initiatives
Participation in village affairs
Continuous learning
Getting new information
Using the opinions of others in decision-making
Doing works better by learning new things from others
Take parting in training courses
Having a clear and lucid plan
Paying attention to others’ views
Doing the tasks vulantarily
0.782
0.774
0.758
0.756
0.722
0.713
0.705
0.692
0.650
0.625
0.752
0.740
0.737
0.723
0.711
0.553
0.548
0.509
0.734
0.713
0.686
0.684
0.672
0.665
0.654
0.500
Having a positive attitude
Participating in village activities
Government focus on the villagers
Trusting the experts
Attending on the rural women by society
Believing in doing the tasks better as a group
The importance of women and girls’ views
Having the ability to direct the family
Ability to help others
Planning a bright future
Being autonomous
Taking the initiatives
Assist others in doing new things
Finding solutions to new problems
0.749
0.748
0.711
0.652
0.642
0.638
0.630
0.707
0.700
0.689
0.683
0.675
0.666
0.659
RESULTS
The average age of women in rural areas was 46.33 years and 86.3 percent of rural women in Sari had
more than 11 years experience of working in agriculture sector.
The average family size was 4 per family and 65 percent had no savings. The average of rural women’s family
financial problems was high.
Based on Table 4, 57.7 percent of women spent 3 to 5 hours a day for radio and TV, and the 38.5
percent of women do not read books, magazines or newspapers in a week and 37.3 percent study from 3 to 5
hours per week. Also, 71 percent of rural women have never used the Internet.
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Table 4. Using radio and TV programs in a day, reading magazines and newspaper in a week and using the Internet in a
week by rural women in Sari Township
Variables
Using radio and TV programs in a day
Never
Less than 2 hours
Between 3 to 5 hours
More than 5 hours
No response
Total
Reading books, magazines and newspaper in a week
Never
Less than 2 hours
Between 3 to 5 hours
More than 5 hours
No response
Total
Using the Internet in a week
Never
Less than 2 hours
Between 3 to 5 hours
More than 5 hours
No response
Total
Frequency
Percent
Valid
percent
Cumulative
percent
3
57
150
50
10
270
1.1
21.1
55.6
18.5
3.7
100
1.2
21.9
57.7
19.2
100
1.2
23.1
80.8
100
100
39
97
24
10
270
37.1
14.4
35.9
8.9
3.7
100
38.5
15
37.3
9.2
100
38.5
53.5
90.8
100
179
26
41
6
18
270
66.3
9.6
15.2
2.2
6.7
100
71
10.3
16.3
2.4
100
71
81.3
97.6
100
Table 5 shows that the most communications of the rural women were with other women, neighbors,
going to mosques, attending in religious ceremony and meeting villagers. Also, the communication with the
extension agents and agricultural experts, take parting in agricultural education classes and public meetings of
the Village Council ranked the last.
Table 5. Rural women's communications ranking in Sari Township (n = 270)
Communication
Other women
Neighbors
Going to the mosque
Attending in the religious ceremony
The meeting villagers
Hygienic center
Bakery
Rural Cooperative
Telecommunication center
Basij center
The extension agents and agricultural experts
Take parting in agricultural education classes
School
Take parting in public meetings of the Village Council
1
2
M
3.86
3.89
3.76
3.45
3.10
3.29
3.26
3.33
3.21
3.02
3.04
2.96
3.11
2.89
3
SD
1.24
1.56
1.58
1.69
1.72
1.71
1.83
1.93
1.89
1.85
1.91
1.95
2.15
2.02
4
C.V
32.11
40.02
41.85
49.03
55.53
51.96
56
57.78
58.9
61.42
62.64
66.04
69.26
69.97
R
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
1- Mean
2- Standard Deviation 3- Coefficient of Variation 4- Rank
Likert scale: zero (0), very Low (1), low (2), medium (3), much (4), very much (5)
Based on the data in table 6, the most useful method from the rural women's perspective was group
methods such as training workshops on processing agricultural products.
Table 6. Ranking the useful methods and approaches in providing extension- training services to rural women in Sari
Township (n = 270)
Methods and Approaches
Group methods such as training workshops on processing agricultural
products
Using trained women
Offering services by the agricultural engineering and technical advisory
services companies
Mobile training courses in women’s living place
Providing extension services through rural women’s organizations and
associations
1
2
C.V
3
M
SD
R
3.80
1.47
38.80
1
3.72
1.56
41.89
2
3.54
1.57
44.41
3
3.65
1.64
44.88
4
3.54
1.62
45.87
5
4
1- Mean
2- Standard Deviation 3- Coefficient of Variation 4- Rank
Likert scale: zero (0), very Low (1), low (2), medium (3), much (4), very much (5)
According to Table 7, rural women, bank and friends and neighbors were the most important rural
women's loan source.
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Table 7. Rural women's loan sources ranking in Sari Township (n = 270)
Rural women's loan source
Rural women
Bank
Friends and neighbors
Relatives
In place lottery
Shopkeepers
Loan fund
1
M
3.42
3.23
3.25
3.17
2.99
2.89
2.81
2
SD
1.89
1.92
1.96
1.91
1.85
1.97
1.99
3
C.V
55.26
59.40
60.12
60.28
62.05
68.03
70.83
R
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
4
1- Mean
2- Standard Deviation 3- Coefficient of Variation 4- Rank
Likert scale: zero (0), very Low (1), low (2), medium (3), much (4), very much (5)
The highest proportion of rural women’s freedom in economic activities went to spending on children's
education, saving money for the family, buying everyday food and clothing and selling agricultural products
(Table 8).
Table 8. Ranking rural women’s freedom in economic activities in Sari Township (n = 270)
Freedom in economic activities
Spending on children's education
Saving money for the family
Buying everyday food and clothing
Selling gardening products
Selling agricultural products
Selling and buying houses
Selling and buying lands
Taking loans
Spending on the medication expenses
1
M
2.17
1.98
1.28
0.38
0.38
0.47
0.42
0.31
0.24
2
SD
1.66
1.55
1.66
0.98
1.01
1.26
1.19
1.02
0.84
3
C.V
76.62
78.07
100.29
200.56
200.64
200.69
200.81
300.27
300.47
R
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
4
1- Mean
2- Standard Deviation 3- Coefficient of Variation 4- Rank
Likert scale: zero (0), very Low (1), low (2), medium (3), much (4), very much (5)
Based on the results given in table 9, the highly important empowerment Solutions for rural women in sari were
giving loans and credits to women, take parting in the training course and collective savings funds.
Table 9. Ranking the empowerment solutions for rural women in sari Township (n=270)
Solution
Giving loans and credits to women
Take parting in the training courses
Collective savings funds
Increasing women's skills
Group income-making activities
Women’s being aware of their community
1
M
3.82
3.82
3.92
3.68
3.84
3.75
2
SD
1.20
1.29
1.33
1.33
1.40
1.38
3
C.V
31.46
33.90
33.92
36.13
36.47
36.79
R
1
2
3
4
5
6
4
1- Mean
2- Standard Deviation 3- Coefficient of Variation 4- Rank
Likert scale: zero (0), very Low (1), low (2), medium (3), much (4), very much (5)
Considering Table 10, women’s distrust to each other was the main obstacle to empowerment of rural women
in Sari Township.
Table 10. Ranking of Obstacles to empowerment of rural women in Sari Township (n = 270)
Obstacle
Women’s distrust to each other
Men’s lack of trust to women
Responsibility refusal of women
Women’s low literacy level
Having too much housework
Women’s low self-esteem
Having too much work outside
1
M
3.72
3.66
3.42
3.61
3.5
3.46
3.44
2
SD
1.41
1.44
1.43
1.53
1.52
1.55
1.56
3
C.V
37.81
39.42
41.69
42.23
42.71
44.79
45.47
R
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
4
1- Mean
2- Standard Deviation 3- Coefficient of Variation 4- Rank
Likert scale: zero (0), very Low (1), low (2), medium (3), much (4), very much (5)
Rural women’s empowerment is affected by different elements where 62 percent of the women's
empowerment variance in rural areas of sari is determined by six factors of communication, women's loan
source, methods and approaches, obstacles, solutions and education (Table 11).
Based on Table 11, the regression line equation of the women's empowerment variance in rural areas of sari
was as follows:
Y = 1.818 + 0.203 (communication) + 0.116 (women's loan source) + 0.103 (methods and approaches)
+ 0.095 (solutions) + 0.062 (education) – 0.067 (obstacles)
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Table 11. Women's empowerment multiple regressions in Sari Township
Model
1
Communication
Women's loan sources
Methods and approaches
Solutions
Education
Obstacles
Unstandardized
Coefficients
B
Std. Error
1.818
0.187
0.203
0.035
0.116
0.029
0.103
0.029
0.095
0.039
0.062
0.022
-0.067
0.033
(Constant)
R2= 0.626
R= 0.791
Adjusted R Square= 0.617
Standardized
Coefficients
Beta
0.351
0.238
0.178
0.118
0.116
-0.089
F= 65.104
t
sig
9.738
5.821
4.026
3.602
2.454
2.846
-2.026
0.000
0.000
0.000
0.000
0.015
0.005
0.044
sig = 0.000
The rural women’s empowerment modeling in Sari is shown in Figure 1. Based on Table 12, the
highest effect on women's empowerment in Sari was related to women's loan sources with the path coefficient
of 0.423. In addition, Solutions were also effective on the empowerment of rural women in of Sari with the path
coefficient of 0.361.
Education
Methods and approaches
0.178
0.217
0.116
0.353
0.413
Women's loan sources
0.347
Solutions
0.238
0.528
Communication
0.351
0.134
Rural women's
Empowerment in
Sari Township
0.118
-0.089
Obstacles
Figure 1. Rural women’s empowering Model in Sari Township
Table 12. The direct, indirect and total effects of empowerment path analysis of rural women in Sari Township
Path
From education to rural women’s empowerment in Sari
From obstacles to the empowerment of rural women in Sari
From communication to the empowerment of rural women in Sari
From women's loan sources to the empowerment of rural women in Sari
From methods and approaches to the empowerment of rural women in Sari
From solutions to the empowerment of rural women in Sari
Direct
0.116
-0.089
0.351
0.238
0.178
0.118
Indirect
0.185
0.142
0.243
Total
0.116
-0.089
0.351
0.423
0.32
0.361
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
Based on the results of the path analysis, the highest effect on women's empowerment in Sari was
related to women's loan sources with the path coefficient of 0.423. In addition, solutions, communication,
methods and approaches, education and obstacles were effective on the empowerment of rural women in Sari
Township. Spreitzer (1995) introduced the education and availability to the resources as the key factors
affecting the empowerment. Regarding the soaring rate of illiteracy and low literacy of rural women, it is
required that the audiovisual materials be used in the training methods. The status of rural women’s Internet
use and studying is not in its good condition in Sari.
The average of rural women’s family financial problems was high which shows the inappropriate
economic status of the family. The highest ranges of borrowing for rural women were from other women,
friends and neighbors. Considering the high rate of the financial problems of rural women and the vital role of
financial resources on the empowerment of the women, it is suggested that the needed support to provide the
financial resources.
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The main important empowerment solutions for rural women in sari were giving loans and credits to
women, take parting in the training courses, collective savings funds, increasing women's skills, group incomemaking activities and women’s being aware of their community. Also, the rural women’s freedom in economic
activities was at a very low level and take parting in agricultural education classes was medium. The
department of agricultural extension and education should strive in composing and organizing the rural groups
(Charmchian Langerodi et al., 2011).
Findings by Danida (2004) indicate that the farmer’s organization was the important mechanism for
supporting the empowerment concept and Alsop et al (2005) believe that membership in an organization will
indirectly assess the empowerment. Formation of women self-help groups in India is one of the most
comprehensive solutions for women's empowerment (Chidambaram, 2004). Self-help groups consist of 10 to
20 poor women who have gathered to provide financial services to each other. These services include saving
money, giving loans to each other, training and other social services to members. Members are responsible for
the formation and management of the group. They are usually supported by an institution outside the village. It
can be a private or public institution, a bank, or a financial institution(Bali Swain and Wallentin, 2007). The
World Bank (2005) considered micro-credits as one of the most popular ways to the economic empowerment
all around the world. Fleming (2000) considers education as a fundamental mainstay in the empowerment
process. The department of agricultural extension and education has a major and indispensable role in the
empowerment process (Roling and Engel, 1999).
On average, the communications status of rural women was medium in Sari. Most relations of the rural
women with other women were with neighbors, going to mosques, attending in religious ceremony and meeting
villagers. However, the communication with the extension agents and agricultural experts, take parting in
agricultural education classes and public meetings of the Village Council ranked the last. So It is important to
take part in agricultural education classes, public meetings and communication with the extension agents and
agricultural experts.
The useful methods and approaches in providing extension- training services to rural women in Sari
Township were group methods such as training workshops on processing agricultural products, using trained
women and offering services by the agricultural engineering and technical advisory services companies. Based
on the results, 86.3 percent of rural women in Sari had more than 11 years of working experience in agriculture,
which represents a good experience in agricultural work and shows their indigenous knowledge is high.
Considering the principle of indigenous knowledge is an important factor in agricultural extension and villagers’
empowerment. Instead of ignoring indigenous knowledge as outdated, the extension agent should try to
understand them and their ramifications, before proceeding to recommend something new to be adopted
(Singh et al., 2009) and taking a step towards empowering rural women. Satio and Weidemann (1990) believe
that one way to improve extension services to rural women is selecting educated women or girls as contact
women.
The most important Obstacles for the empowerment of rural women in Sari can be attributed to
women’s distrust to each other, men’s lack of trust to women, responsibility refusal of women, women’s low
literacy level, having too much housework, women’s low self-esteem and having too much work outside,
respectively. Spreitzer (1995) considers the in-group trust as one of the effective factors in empowerment and
Shaditalab (2003) believes that increasing the public awareness on the roles of women adds to their
empowerment.
Suggestions
Considering the empowerment competence includes having the desire and ability to get things done
based on your wishes, having a clear and lucid plan for the future, the immediate adoption of new methods,
problem finding and solving, having the ability to use creative and innovative methods, having the ability to build
a better life, focusing on all the solutions, taking the initiatives in doing the works, being serious in doing the
tasks and taking the risk in doing the tasks.
Considering the empowerment impact includes expressing self financial comments, rural women's role
in family income, the need for men and women’s cooperation, promoting the information in processing the
agricultural products, women’s earning money as men, doing group work, increasing the rural women’s
initiatives and participation in village affairs.
Focus on meaning includes continuous learning, getting new information, using the opinions of others
in decision-making, doing works better by learning new things from others, take parting in training courses,
having a clear and lucid plan, paying attention to others’ views and doing the tasks vulantarily.
Considering the empowerment trust includes having a positive attitude, participating in village activities,
government focus on the villagers, trusting the experts, attending on the rural women by society, believing in
doing the tasks better as a group and the importance of women and girls’ views.
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Attending the empowerment self- determination includes having the ability to direct the family, ability to
help others, planning a bright future, being autonomous, taking the initiatives, assist others in doing new things
and finding solutions to new problems.
The access to micro-credit was one of the common ways for the women's empowerment.
The needed support to provide the financial resources for the women's empowerment.
Extension support to foundation and organization of Farmers' groups on financial and social problems.
Empowerment solutions for rural women in sari including giving loans and credits to women, take parting in the
training courses, collective savings funds, increasing women's skills, group income-making activities
and women’s being aware of their community should be considered.
Communication was effective on the empowerment of rural women in Sari. The relationship with the
extension agents and agricultural experts, and take parting in agricultural education classes and public
meetings in the villages should be considered and the extension program should improve the relationship
between women through establishing associations.
Useful methods and approaches should be used to empower rural women in the Sari. These methods
include group methods such as training workshops on processing agricultural products, using trained women
and offering services by the agricultural engineering and technical advisory services companies. The
audiovisual materials should be used for training due to the low literacy level.
It is recommended that obstacles for women's empowerment in rural areas of sari be considered. The
most important Obstacles for the empowerment of rural women in Sari can be related to women’s distrust to
each other, men’s lack of trust to women, responsibility refusal of women which must be removed by increasing
people’s culture, training and increasing the group capacity.
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