Abstract
This paper analyzes the understudied gendered dimensions of fair-trade coffee networks and certification practices. It combines data collected during 14 months of fieldwork among- the members of a Guatemalan coffee cooperative with, a survey of the existing literature on fair-trade coffee cooperatives to demonstrate that the current fair-trade network is falling-far short of its goal to promote gender equity, particularly in three important realms: voting and democratic participation, the promotion of non-agricultural income generating programs, and support for female coffee producers. In consideration of the fact that international donors are increasingly funding certification-based poverty solutions, such as fair trade, this paper argues that the promotion of gender equity through certification standards and practices needs to be a vital component of the fair-trade mission, lest the promotion of gender equity in agricultural communities be neglected. It concludes that a participatory certification process would help address two central concerns: (1) the effectiveness of the certification process (in terms of identifying and correcting problems associated with gender equity within groups) and (2) the adequacy of current fair-trade certification standards in light of producer diversity.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 258-268 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Human Organization |
Volume | 67 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2008 |
Keywords
- Certification
- Coffee
- Fair trade
- Gender
- Maya
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Anthropology
- Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
- General Social Sciences