Despite being a traditionally male-dominated sector, Senator Loren Legarda expressed her belief that the agriculture sector can do more to address gender-based inequalities.
During the celebration of National Women’s Month at the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) offices in Quezon City last March 4, Legarda recognized the contributions of womenfolk in the fight against hunger and malnutrition.
"Overcoming women’s marginalization and giving them financial independence are imperatives for the entire sector to thrive," the senator said in her speech.
While the Philippines remains as a leader in gender equality in Southeast Asia, ranking 16th out of 146 countries in the 2023 Gender Gap Index, the country fell eight slots from its 8th-ranked placement in 2018.
In the agricultural industry, a Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) study found that women occupy merely 26 percent of the agricultural employment in the country.
However, women are burdened with unpaid home duties such as food preparation and relegation to lower paid work in the sector and not normally considered in work such as land preparation and use of farm equipment.
The four-term senator has authored and sponsored relevant laws to protect and empower women, such as the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, the Magna Carta of Women, and the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act.
"Even with these laws in place, it is crucial to keep a tight watch on the implementation, to acknowledge the evolving needs of women in a globalized world, and to remain committed to enhancing our policies and programs towards gender equity," Legarda said.
#WeTakeAStand #OpinYon #SenLorenLegarda #NationalWomensMonth #PIDS #