Women, Power, & Economic Change in Puerto Rico
Women in Puerto Rico graduate from universities at higher rates than men, yet they continue to earn less, hold fewer executive roles, and face persistent structural barriers, including high rates of domestic violence. What happens when we examine economic development through that contradiction? Mnguashima Valentina Soomiyol’s research centers women not as beneficiaries of policy, but as drivers of transformation, investigating how gender-sensitive programs can reshape economic futures on the island.
Soomiyol is a doctoral candidate in the Ph.D. program in Public Affairs at Rutgers University–Camden. Her work was presented at the Graduate Poster Exhibition during the 2025 SPARK! (Showcase of Projects, Art, Research, and Knowledge), which highlights graduate research and creative work across disciplines. The abstract below introduces her case study examining gender, empowerment initiatives, and economic development in Puerto Rico.
Abstract: The Intersection Between Gender, Programs, and Economic Development – A Case Study of Puerto Rico
Women’s empowerment has long been recognized as a cornerstone of sustainable economic development. However, the journey toward gender equality continues to be challenged, particularly within specific cultural and regional contexts. Puerto Rico offers a compelling lens to explore the intersection of gender, gender-sensitive programs, and economic development.
Puerto Rican women have shown remarkable resilience despite the structural challenges they encounter. While they make up 58 percent of university graduates, they continue to face systemic inequalities, earning $0.82 for every dollar that men earn in comparable roles and occupying only 20 percent of executive positions. Moreover, domestic violence remains a significant barrier, with one in three women in Puerto Rico experiencing physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. This study aims to explore the intersection of the glass ceiling effect, women’s underrepresentation, the inadequacies of gender-sensitive programs, and the systemic challenges women face in contributing to Puerto Rico’s economic development.
Utilizing a case study methodology, appreciative inquiry framework, and asset mapping, the study highlights how women-led initiatives such as the LEAP Academy and Taller Comunidad La Goyco serve as exemplary models for fostering resilience, empowerment, and sustainable community development. The inquiry is grounded in the Capability Approach and Community Capital Framework.
The findings demonstrate that LEAP Academy embodies the principles of the Capability Approach and the Community Capital Framework by actively discovering and leveraging community assets to promote education, empowerment, and economic development in Puerto Rico. Additionally, initiatives such as Taller Comunidad in La Goyco focus on cultural preservation and environmental sustainability, providing resources for recycling education and addressing environmental justice issues.
More importantly, the LEAP social enterprise exemplifies a holistic approach to education, functioning as a beacon of hope and improving the capabilities and well-being of women and families in Puerto Rico. By empowering victims of domestic violence, LEAP provides economic opportunities while restoring agency and freedom. These findings highlight the need for gender-sensitive programs and scaling holistic models like LEAP Academy to address the interconnected challenges of gender inequality and economic development. Though often undervalued, these contributions position women as critical agents of economic transformation in Puerto Rico.
Graduate Poster Exhibition at SPARK!
The Graduate Poster Exhibition celebrates the research and creative work of the graduate community, showcasing everything from prose and code to original research and artistic expression. As part of SPARK! (Showcase of Projects, Art, Research, and Knowledge), a reimagining of Research Week, the exhibition highlights the depth, range, and impact of graduate scholarship and invites the campus community to engage with ideas taking shape across disciplines.
Transform Communities with Rutgers–Camden’s Public Affairs Graduate Programs
Rutgers University–Camden offers M.S. and Ph.D. programs in Public Affairs/Community Development, focusing on public policy, urban affairs, and political economy. The curriculum addresses community power, urban sustainability, and social justice, providing advanced research skills through courses like Statistical Inquiry and Geospatial Analysis. Students can engage in practical experiences via research centers such as the Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs and the Center for Urban Research and Education. The program offers flexible pathways, including a 30-credit M.S. degree suitable for part-time students, a 2+3 model combining M.S. and Ph.D. studies, and a 66-credit Ph.D. program. Notably, Rutgers–Camden’s Public Affairs program is recognized among the top public affairs schools by U.S. News & World Report.
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