Women's work and the sexual division of labour:: Income generation projects in social welfare policy

Productive restructuring promotes large-scale, profound changes in the pattern of capitalist accumulation, causing irreparable repercussions in the world of work. Structural unemployment and informality enhance entrepreneurship strategies, which reinforce the 'self-sufficiency' of the working class in maintaining its survival, affecting women to a greater extent, who become the target audience of income generation projects, most of which are located in social assistance policy. Precisely with this concern in mind, the research sought to reveal the limits of the proposals of income generation groups for women, from the perspective of the sexual division of labour. The content of the proposals to generate income updates traditionally female tasks, performed in the domestic sphere and offered free of charge throughout history. The aim is to transform these practices into income-generating activities capable of conferring autonomy and empowerment on poor women. This book reflects on the debate surrounding the validity of these actions in overcoming power asymmetries between the sexes, discussing the historical possibility of constructing new practices.