On the third week celebration of the National Women’s Month, the Department of Agriculture (DA) puts spotlight on the women in the Philippine livestock, poultry, and fisheries subsectors.
The DA-Gender and Development (GAD) Focal Point System, under the leadership of Undersecretary for Attached Agencies and Corporations Agnes Catherine Miranda, steered the 2nd leg of the Women’s Month exhibit at the DA Central Office, Quezon City on March 18, which featured success stories of women fisherfolk and animal raisers from various parts of the country.
The celebration was also highlighted with a bazaar featuring livestock, poultry, and fisheries products of select micro, small, and medium enterprises as well as women-led and women-organized agribusinesses.
“The role of women in agriculture should not be underestimated. Sa panahon ngayon, wala nang trabahong hindi kayang gawin ng mga kababaihan. Women play important roles in both cash crops and subsistence production, in small livestock raising, and in some aspects of fisheries,” explained Assistant Secretary for Consumer and Legislative Affairs Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra, who is also Vice Chairperson of the DA-GAD Focal Point System.
Asec. Velicaria-Guevarra further elaborated that existing laws and regulations such as the Gender Equality and Women Empowerment Plan, Philippine Plan for Gender-Responsive Development, Women in Development and Nation Building Act, and the Magna Carta of Women “have made significant strides in forwarding women’s rights and emancipating women in agriculture.”
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. showed his support for this year’s celebration of the National Women’s Month, expressing his awe in the Filipinas’ capability to demonstrate resilience, nurture communities, and ensure food security even in the face of adversities.
“Sa Bagong Pilipinas, we recognize the pivotal role of women agripreneurs in our collective vision for a prosperous and equitable society. By empowering them with resources and support, we unleash their full potential, fostering innovation and growth,” the agri chief shared.
For the remaining half of the 2024 NWMC, the DA-GAD FPS has prepared a series of technology demonstrations to help local women establish lucrative agri-enterprises.
The DA-GAD FPS will also conduct its final webinar on women’s health, specifically an in-depth discussion on breast and cervical cancer awareness, on March 20, 9:00 AM.
To officially culminate this year’s NWMC, a symposium on women agripreneurship will be taking place at the DA-Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) Convention Hall, Quezon City on March 22.
The remaining NWMC events will be streamed live via the official Facebook pages of the DA and the concerned operating units.
Free spa and skin care services as well as e-services of the Social Security System (SSS) will also be available to DA employees on March 25. ### (Krystelle Ymari A. Vergara, DA-AFID)
