Employment Status of Female Students in the Evening Program at the Universidad Surcolombiana at the Garzón, La Plata, and Pitalito Campuses

Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right but is also essential for building a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world; in recent years, some progress has been made: more girls are enrolled in school, more women hold seats in parliaments and leadership positions, and laws are being reformed to promote gender equality. Despite these achievements, many challenges remain, as discriminatory laws and social norms continue to be widespread. This article presents an analysis of the labor characteristics of the female population enrolled in the evening program at the Universidad Surcolombiana across its campuses in the municipalities of Garzón, La Plata, and Pitalito in the department of Huila, covering aspects such as the employment rate, formality, economic sectors, income range, and level of satisfaction, among others. The theoretical framework is grounded in matrix capitalism, which posits that the gendered division of labor assigns women the majority of domestic and caregiving tasks, resulting in a work overload that leaves them with little time for training and recreation. This limits their opportunities to enter the labor market, earn sufficient income, and participate in social and political activities. The research is framed within a nonexperimental design that was applied cross-sectionally, in which data were collected at a single point in time through a written survey, with a quantitative approach and descriptive scope. A key finding is that 70% of the population is in an employment relationship, is engaged in occasional work, or is self-employed, meaning that 30% do not have an economic occupation; despite having low incomes and a lack of social security, the vast majority are satisfied with their current situation; the study concludes that it is essential for the female students under study to have an economic activity, since without one, 43% would have to abandon their studies. This research will help regional institutions develop initiatives and programs aligned with local development plans and gender equity policies, offering new employment opportunities for students at the Universidad Surcolombiana; this will contribute to improving their quality of life, increasing retention rates at the university, and reducing gender gaps.