Women associal capital in the Cape Verde fishing communities

Abstract

INTRODUCTION. Little or no attention has been paid to research studies on social capital (SC) based on female networks.. To this end, we make use of a field study in Cape Verde focusing on the Santiago Island fishing communities. METHOD. A survey of cross-sectional descriptive quantitative methodology was employed using a questionnaire. The sample consisted of 340 people, selected at random among members of the communitiy that ranged from 15 to 64 years of age. In order to measure the Social Capital Index (SCI), variables related to perceptions of trust, networks, solidarity, social inclusion, and voluntary action were taken into account. RESULTS. There are no statistically significant differences between gender and the level of education , or gender and current studies, but there are differences between gender and Vocational Training, and between gender and social capital. These differences were significantly higher in women than in men. DISCUSSION. In view of these data, we suggest further studies on the qualitative dimensions of SC, applying an action research methodology, with the aim of encouraging participation and cooperation channels among training institutions and the fishing communities and their families. Coordinated family-school-community plans are needed so that SC could have a tangible impact on sustainable development in these contexts of life. We also point out some strategic actions in terms of education for development.