so on. In both cases it is possible to see an idea of sharing economic decision making

between women and men. This aspect of equality in gender relations reflects the

indigenous background of this community.

 Another aspect of equal gender relations of equality in Mulauco is in decisions for

activities of long lasting consequence. For example, when building the family house or

improving/repairing it, men who are generally masons, work according the women's

suggestions regarding the arrangement of rooms, kitchen, windows, doors, etc.

 Under the inheritance system, women and men are considered equally. They do

not make any distinctions among children, but in some cases women are more favored for

land inheritance.10 This happens when a daughter is a single mother and the parents

consider that she could be socially and/or economically weak.1 In this case, despite the

fact that parents could be upset because their daughter has a child without a stable or

legal relation with a man, they usually give a better portion of land to her. This is a way

to compensate the defenseless situation that the lack of a husband could imply for

women.

 Agricultural activities are still general in Mulauco where most of the families have

crops for family consumption. Raising a few animals like cows, goats, chicken, and

rabbits, is also frequent. In these activities, women and men take part equally, though

men are in charge of the most strenuous activities.

 Childcare, health, education, feeding, and recreation have been and are women's

responsibility. Men could help in these tasks, but always upon women's request.



10 In this case it is important to consider that gender equality in inheritance is part of the Ecuadorian legal
system, so it cannot be assessed as an exclusive cultural feature of indigenous people and peasants. See
Ecuadorian Civil Code.
1 Of course, the wife's argument is decisive to decide a better part for a daughter.