El proposito de este articulo es contextualizar a la ciudad de Cartagena durante el periodo de 1960-1980, para senalar los ritmos economicos del crecimiento industrial, y comprender como estos se constituyeron en factores que condujeron a la ampliacion del mercado laboral, para el ingreso de las mujeres al micro-espacio de la industria. A la luz de la categoria de genero, analizaremos las interrelaciones entre la economia, el universo laboral y el ambito de la familia, y la reproduccion o transformacion de las relaciones construidas entre hombres y mujeres. PALABRAS CLAVES Mujer, trabajo, genero, industria. ABSTRACT The purpose of this article is to contextualize the economic processes and industrial growth that took place in the city of Cartagena during the 1960’s and 70’s, for a further comprehension of these as factors led to an enhancement of the labor market, allowing women to enter the micro-space of the industry. From a gender perspective, we will analyze interrelations between the economy, the labor universe and family, as well as the changes experienced in reproduction –in other words, transformations on men-women relationships. KEY WORDS Women, work, gender, industry.