The value of women coming together: Effects and practices of a gender-focused community intervention funded by a government agency

The gender focus has been incorporated into public policies as a strategy to reduce gender inequity and overcome discriminatory stereotype behaviors. However, the state or institutional feminism has been questioned for being uncritical and not very transformative, where the critical and transformative nature of community psychology offer valuable opportunities. In this context, effects and practices of a community intervention funded by a government agency and aimed at the de-naturalization of gender stereotypes and its consequences in everyday life with vulnerable women, mostly older adults, are analyzed. Using a qualitative methodology, interviews and focus groups with women who participated in the intervention, community leaders, and key actors were conducted. A total of 46 people took part in the investigation. Data were analyzed using Grounded Theory. Facilitating and hindering factors influencing the gender-focused community intervention implemented were identified. Furthermore, effects linked to community participation among women are regarded as affirmative acts in response to social vulnerability, with self-care, co-care, and empowerment regarding gender stereotypes standing out as the main results. Finally, the value of women's gatherings in community spaces, linking them with the contributions of feminist theory, and outline points of tension and challenges facing gender-focused community interventions are discussed.