Role of identity, gender stereotype and self-efficacy on rural women participation in social, economic and political activities

The aim of this study was to investigate factors influencing women’s participation in social, economic, and political activities in rural areas of Likak city. Target population of this study consisted of active rural women of 15 to 64 years old in Likak city which based on krejcie and morgan table, 300 women were determined as sample and using a random sampling method were selected. questionnaire was the data collection instrument which its face validity was confirmed by a group of experts and its reliability was obtained also by conducting a pilot study and calculating Cronbach alpha coefficients (0.73-0.94). Results of the study reflects the high mean of women’s participation in social, economic and political activities in rural society. Moreover results revealed, there is negative correlation between economic participation, political participation and social participation and a number of key variables such as gender stereotype, farmer identity and housewife identity. The results of structural equation modeling analysis showed that self-efficacy and housewife identity have positive effect on participation intention. In addition, gender stereotype has negative effect on social, economic and political participation. The model explained 85% of the variance in economical participation, 77% of that in social participation, 69% in political participation. Based on the results, it is recommended to give value to the activities of housewives in society and media and to create material and moral rights for these activities. Also, holding a meeting of housewives with active and Successful women can increase women's self-efficacy.