Identifying the needs and opportunities for rural women leaders: a case study in the Philippines
2009
Cabrera, E.R. | Paris, T.R., International Rice Research Inst., Los Baños, Laguna (Philippines). Social Sciences Div.
Several studies showed significant roles of women that contributed to agricultural development. However, the increasing roles of rural women as leaders have not been given attention. Identifying the needs and opportunities for rural leaders as key change agents is important in agricultural development. Thus this study was conducted to describe the characteristics of rural women leaders, their roles and expected roles as leaders, their aspirations, their constraints in performing their leadership roles and recommended policies and strategies to further enhance their leadership roles. One hundred and five women leaders in Laguna and Quezon [Philippines] were interviewed using structured questionnaires with focus group discussions to get more insights on the lives of women leaders and to present inspiring case stories. Most women farmers are managing their farms as well as leading other farmers. Their roles varied depending on their leadership assignments from promoting income-generating projects, community service activities, leading the villages, providing income to poor and landless women, maintaining health and nutrition, harmonizing the constituents and other social responsibilities. Results showed 62% of women leaders accepted their tasks to improve the economic status of their members which indicates the altruistic virtues of caring and supporting other women. Fifty-four percent of women think that they still need technical trainings that would equipped them to help members improve their economic status in life and at the same time generate income for the organization.
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