Assembling Flowers and Cultivating Homes: Labor and Gender in Colombia

In contrast to the mainstream perspective among feminists that global industries exploit women in developing countries to glean a competitive advantage, Friedemann-Sanchez offers an alternative picture of the global assembly line as an alternative livelihood opportunity and a means for women to gain greater equality across genders. Specifically, Friedemann-Sanchez follows the experiences of women employed in the massive fresh cut flower export industry in Colombia. Through qualitative and quantitative methodologies, it is demonstrated how employment in the flower industry encourages women to have greater self esteem, place a greater value on their cleaning and child rearing skills within the household, and ultimately, empower women in face of domestic violence.