In recent years there has been a marked increase in the demand for fresh-cut fruit. Although these products have high user convenience, they are extremely perishable. Consequently, they must be marketed within a very short period. A number of studies have shown that brief UV-C irradiation prior to storage may reduce postharvest deterioration in whole fruit. Herein, we evaluated the influence of different UV-C dose and intensity combinations on the quality and shelf-life of fresh-cut strawberries. Fresh berries were cut in wedges and subjected to brief UV-C treatments having different combinations of radiation intensity (0, 9, or 36 W m-2) and dose (0, 2, or 4 kJ m-2). Treatments with a dosage of 4 kJ m-2 at an intensity of 36 W m-2 decreased decay, juice leakage, dehydration softening, and yeasts and mold counts. UV-C treated berries also scored better in freshness color and overall acceptability in consumer tests. The treatments did not affect the acidity, soluble solids, or phenolic compounds. Results suggest that short UV-C treatment could be useful to supplement cold storage, extending the shelf-life of fresh-cut strawberries.

Female empowerment in post-conflict rural contexts is strategic for food security and socioeconomic resilience. This study analyzed the relationship between women’s productive empowerment and food security in 40 rural women involved in pig production in Santa Rosa del Sur, Bolívar, Colombia. A mixed approach with a descriptive–exploratory design and longitudinal scope was used. Data collection employed adapted versions of the Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Index (A-WEAgI) and the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), alongside participant observation and reflective thematic analysis. Quantitative data were analyzed via descriptive statistics and Spearman correlation. The baseline revealed low empowerment regarding income, resources, technical capacities, and time. The global A-WEAgI reached 21%, while HFIAS showed moderate food insecurity in 52% of households. Spearman analysis (CS) indicated moderate negative correlations between food insecurity and income (CS = −0.56), access to resources (CS = −0.51), and technical capacities (CS = −0.49), suggesting that greater women´s empowerment was associates with lower food insecurity. Post-intervention, improvements occurred in technical skills, leadership, and organizational participation. Qualitative findings showed increased confidence in Agroindustry activities, though limitations in economic autonomy, commercialization, and domestic workloads persisted. Gender-focused rural strategies enhance productive capacities and food resilience; however, structural barriers related to economic autonomy and gender inequality persist.