Women"s issues in shelter, agriculture, training and institutional development : assessment for USAID/Costa Rica

Review of women"s economic activities reveals that women: have been joining the market economy in growing numbers despite a difficult national economic situation; are often involved in "invisible" labor sectors and those characterized by inefficiency and low wages; are joining the workforce because of both positive (higher educational levels) and negative (increased poverty) factors; and head 20% of low-income households. It is suggested that USAID/CR give priority to the institutional upgrading of women-based agencies (which have grown rapidly in recent years), to encouraging governmental policy attention to women, and to projects which are integrated rather than women-specific and economically rather than socially or service oriented. Projects should particularly address the needs of women employed in the informal sector, those in rural areas, and female heads of households. Recommendations are also made regarding the housing, agricultural/agribusiness, and training sectors.