The final consultancy report presents the baseline and diagnostic findings for the "Rural Women's Enterprises in Ayabaca Province, Piura" project, targeting five districts prioritized for their high poverty levels. Conducted between October and November 2023, the study utilized surveys, interviews, workshops, and focus groups, engaging primarily women involved in agro-production and crafts. Key findings reveal significant challenges, including low educational attainment, limited access to financial resources, inadequate basic services, and underrepresentation of women in leadership roles. Most women finance their ventures through personal savings, with minimal access to financial systems and markets, constraining their entrepreneurial growth. Despite these barriers, women play a vital role in the province’s agro-economic activities and crafts, yet face high rates of gender-based violence. The report emphasizes the urgent need to strengthen women’s participation in economic development, improve access to training and markets, and address systemic inequalities to enhance income generation and community resilience.

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