Women’s producer organisations (WPOs) have been promoted for their potential to empower women in patriarchal contexts. However, there has been limited research on the interactions, in such contexts, between women’s capacity to generate individual income and the changes made possible through their participation in WPOs. This study explores the socio-economic changes experienced by women engaged in three WPOs in Siliana Governorate, Tunisia. It assessed the economic benefits and collected women’s narratives about changes in social relations at community and family level, in social skills, and in self-perception. The financial gains were generally modest, especially compared to alternative sources of income. Women nevertheless valued their participation in WPOs. First, the work aligned better with their domestic responsibilities and was less physically demanding than farm labour. Second, women reported significant social and psychological benefits. The majority of women reported these changes, even when their economic gains were particularly small. Third, many women used their WPO experience to launch their own small-scale businesses. Thus, Tunisian WPOs offer more than financial benefits: they foster social support, personal development, and a way towards empowerment.
