Os desafios das mulheres quebradeiras de coco babaçu no povoado Santa Maria, município de São João do Sóter, Maranhão

Abstract

This study aims to understand the challenges faced by women babaçu coconut breakers in the village of Santa Maria, in the municipality of São João do Sóter, Maranhão, considering the social, economic, and territorial transformations that affect this traditional activity. The research adopts a qualitative approach, based on bibliographic review and fieldwork, including the application of questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with coconut breakers, community residents, and the village representative. The results indicate that babaçu has historically played a central role in the economic and social organization of families, particularly in income generation and women’s protagonism. However, in recent decades, factors such as the expansion of agribusiness, the reduction of babaçu groves, land enclosure, and socioeconomic changes have contributed to the decline of extractivist practices, altering women’s role in family subsistence. An increasing dependence on social welfare programs and pensions was also observed, along with the persistence of women’s overload in domestic work. Despite these challenges, babaçu coconut breakers remain symbols of resistance, preservation of traditional knowledge, and struggle for territorial rights. The study highlights the importance of public policies aimed at valuing sustainable extractivism and strengthening the autonomy of rural women