Gender, time use, and change: the impact of the cut flower industry in Ecuador

摘要

This paper examines how household time allocation has changed as a result of the flower industry. Specifically, it aims to investigate: whether women who work in the flower industry are working harder as a result of combining market labour with unpaid labour at home; and whether there is some shifting of responsibility for unpaid labour traditionally performed by women to male household members. Data are based on a survey of 558 households in 2 regions (Cotocachi and Cayambe) of northern Ecuador (collected in May and June 1999). Results suggest that market labour opportunities for women have no effect on women's total time in labour but increase men's time in unpaid labour. The increase in men's time in unpaid work reflects women's increased bargaining power in the home.