EMPOWERING WOMEN

Can changes in the built environment improve the conditions of the women in a community? A study of the public space in several communities in the province of Imbabura in Ecuador looks at the who, how and when communities use their public spaces. This study was based on a series of participatory drawing exercises with six communities. In conjunction with the Area of Social Responsibility of Expoflores, we worked on understanding and identifying the needs of each community.

Two issues were repetitively identified in the workshops. (1) Most women lack an education beyond 1st grade and therefore cannot read or write and (2) Women want to improve their livelihoods by selling their embroidered merchandise. These two concerns work against each other in that without an education women are not able to fully enter the commercial market.

From the information gathered in the workshops a speculative public space project was developed. Re-thinking the public space with special attention given to how it can serve the needs of women. The proposed re-thinking of public spaces incorporates adult education through local handicrafts. Utilizing a coop system in a shared community space, women are given the physical spaces in which these functions can occur.