The motivated, active and equitable participation of members, both men and women, in cooperatives is a prerequisite for sustainable cooperative development. This prevents on the one hand their equal participation in development efforts for their own benefit and, on the other, reduces the chances of making development efforts sustainable. Women's low level of participation in cooperatives and lack of involvement in the management of cooperatives, is due to a number of socio-cultural factors, gender bias and legal and political conditions. The traditional role of women in society is, however, probably the biggest constraint to women's participation in cooperatives and their access to decision-making levels. Cultural practices and traditions can also often hinder women in participating in cooperatives and in assuming leadership roles.
Cooperative law is another factor that can have a negative impact on women's participation.
Cooperative laws and by-laws do not discriminate directly since they uphold the principles of open membership and equal rights of members, however, they may discriminate indirectly through membership conditions in mixed cooperatives. Two members per family is not so common. Women can improve their access to infrastructural facilities and to mainstream development efforts by joining mixed cooperatives . Cooperative membership can enable them to find new or better employment opportunities and increase productivity, as well as improve the standard of living of their families. However, experience shows that women tend to play a more passive role in mixed cooperatives and that men often tend to assume leadership roles and are reluctant to share responsibility with women.