”Det är ju ett gemensamt projekt” - En kvalitativ studie om jämställdhet ur ett landsbygdsperspektiv

Sammanfattning: Author: Torun Ström & Sara Svensson Title: “Det är ju ett gemensamt projekt” – En kvalitativ studie om jämställdhet ur ett landsbygdsperspektiv. Translated title: “After all it's a mutual commitment” – A qualitative study of gender equality from a rural perspective. Supervisor: Anett Schenk Assessor: Kristina Göransson The aim of this study was to examine how women living in rural areas perceive gender equality and how it manifests itself in their lifestyles and relationships. By interviewing six women from different rural regions we have illustrated the opportunities and limitations they experience while trying to achieve gender equality in their everyday lives. The women in the study are in ages ranging from 24 to 84 years old. By analysing the empirical material intersectionally using the categories gender, region and generation/age we have been able to identify three main themes that are significant for how the women experience opportunities and limitations regarding gender equality. The first theme deals with the women’s perceptions of gender and gender roles and how those perceptions affect their relationships. The second theme treats the organisation of their lives regarding occupation, family and leisure activities from a perspective of gender equality. Finally, the third theme concerns the women’s experiences of power and influence when it comes to involvement in politics and associations. In our study we found that the women have different views on gender equality, which can be associated with generation and age, although they share similar experiences of how their aspirations of achieving gender equality often have to be compromised with for practical and economical reasons regarding family and professional life. Another similarity was how the women experience local access to welfare and public service to be an important factor for equality in present or previous family life in rural areas.