Influencing Factors on Rural Women's Participation in Agricultural and Non-Agricultural Activities in Garmsar Rural Areas

Rural women have significant role and share in agricultural and non-agricultural activities in rural areas. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the factors affecting on Garmsar rural women’s participation in rural activities. The research design of the study was a survey utilizing descriptive-correlation technique. The statistical population consisted of rural women in the Garmsar township (N=1600). A proportional stratified sampling method was used to select 134 women as samples of the study and the Cochran’s formula helped to determine the sample size. A questionnaire was designed to gather data. A panel of extension and rural development experts determined content validity and a reliability analysis of questionnaire was conducted by a pilot test, Cronbach’s alpha values were obtained ranging 0.72-0.84 for various parts of the questionnaire. Results showed that rural women participate in the agricultural activities (mean: 3.24) more than non-agricultural activities (mean: 1.99). In addition, their attitude toward participation in rural activities was “agreed”. The result of the multivariate linear regression indicated that 28% (R2=0.28) of the variance in women’s participation in agricultural activities could be explained by their marital background. In addition, variables including age, marital background and role of women in home activities could explain 23% (R2=0.23) of variance of women’s participation in non-agricultural activities.