Rural women in Brazil work 27.50 unpaid hours a week. This includes household and care activities, to which men only dedicate 5.20 hours a week. These figures were released in 2016 by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. They also describe one of the main features of the struggles of the Northeast Feminism and Agroecology Network (Rede Feminismo e Agroecologia do Nordeste).
This burden has an impact on the political, production and personal lives of these women, which is why the network is fighting for the Fair Division of Household Labor. Although they participate in a range of production initiatives, women tend to participate in smaller groups. The larger and more institutionalized the organization, such as cooperatives and associations, the less like they are to participate.
The Fair Division of Household Labor (Divisão Justa do Trabalho Doméstico) is the name of a campaign the network launched in 2014. In October 2024, they celebrated 10 years of existence and resistance with a meeting in Salvador (Bahia). This activity was supported by the Ecumenical Coordination of Service (Coordenadoria Ecumênica de Serviço: CESE) and attended by women from a number of movements. One of the strategies adopted was the relaunch of the campaign incorporating these organizations.