From Forgotten Plots to Collective Economy: A Rural Women’s Community Model in Honduras
This article was originally published in Spanish. Read it here.
In Isletas, Concepción de María, Honduras, Rafaela Godines recognized the need to empower rural women and improve their families’ food sovereignty.
“What if we work together?”
This question led to the formation of a women’s group that, through collective action, transformed an abandoned plot of land into a thriving ecosystem. The initiative has enabled them to access productive resources, strengthen social cohesion, and highlight the importance of gender equity in a country where women make up 50% of the rural population but only 27% participate in the agricultural economy.
In Honduras, as in much of Latin America, women’s access to land is a significant challenge. In the region, the proportion of women who own land ranges from just 7.8% to 30.8%, limiting their ability to plan for the long term. Many women work on borrowed plots without formal ownership rights, while men still own the majority of available land. “The land I work on was lent to me by my father. He allowed us to use it for 10 years. When the time passed and he saw the progress of our work in soil recovery, he told us that we could stay as long as necessary,” says Rafaela. This type of agreement between community members has helped them move forward, but it also exposes the vulnerability of many women in rural areas.
From the very beginning, they also faced skepticism about their ability to work together. Many women were excluded from decision-making, with land and agricultural production decisions remaining solely in the hands of men. “We had no right to make decisions,” one of them recalls. To overcome this, they created safe spaces built on trust and mutual support. Over time, their organization grew stronger, setting an inspiring example for other women in the community.
In addition to land ownership and cultural barriers, access to resources, financing, and support networks has remained a major challenge, hindering their growth. To address these structural and cultural obstacles, the group has forged key alliances with organizations like Vecinos Honduras, which has provided training in agroecological production, marketing, and health education. “By forming strategic alliances, we can amplify our work and connect with other women’s networks,” they explain. Through these partnerships, they have strengthened their initiative and demonstrated that their model is both sustainable and scalable.
Under Rafaela’s leadership, the group transformed the neglected plot into a productive garden. Today, they cultivate cilantro, corn, red beans, sweet potatoes, plantains, beans, and cassava, ensuring steady harvests that nourish their families and strengthen the local economy. By selling surplus produce in nearby markets, they’ve reduced their reliance on middlemen, improving their economic autonomy.
Their work has also made a significant impact on soil health and local biodiversity. Honduras has long struggled with deforestation, mono-cropping, and the overuse of agrochemicals, which have degraded much of its agricultural land. The women’s group has embraced agroecological practices, such as crop rotation and the use of natural fertilizers, to restore soil quality and reduce erosion on their plot. “Our first crop was plantains because they adapt well to the local climate. Over time, we experimented with other crops and learned about their management and production.”
Their efforts have gained strong support from the community. “People see us as well-organized. We work as a team, and that encourages more women to join the group.”
“People see us as well-organized. We work as a team, and that encourages more women to join the group.”
Rafaela Godines, a woman farmer leader in Honduras
A Model for Change
Today, the collective unites twenty-two organized women who play a crucial role in their families’ food sovereignty. They demonstrate that community organization is an effective path to securing autonomy and strengthening local economies. By continuing to build alliances and advocate for land rights, these women are shaping a future where rural women are recognized as essential leaders in sustainable agriculture.
About the author
Luisa María Castaño Hernández
Luisa María Castaño Hernández is Groundswell International’s Communications Coordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean. She has experience in media in different countries, content development in multimedia and print formats, fiction and non-fiction writing and editing. She has played a leading role in the formulation and implementation of communication strategies for projects of institutions working for the preservation of cultural heritage and biodiversity, the strengthening of education and the integration of migrants. She has also participated in the development of museographic scenarios, curating exhibition cycles and educational experiences in art and science museums. She is a journalist, artist, and has a Masters in Humanistic Studies.