DA conducts Rural Women Congress in Western Visayas
The Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Field Unit 6, has conducted a two-day Rural Women Congress in Western Visayas , here, on November 11 to 12.
Anita Moncada, DA Farm-Home Resource Management Coordinator said the congress aims to empower women on their rights and privileges. It hopes to improve the living standards of rural women who are also behind the progress of rural economy.
Atty. David Bermudo, regional director of the Commission on Human Rights lectured on the women’s rights and help them understand the law regarding women and family.
Bermudo stressed that rural women are more prone to abuse and sexual harassment than women in the urban sector. He adds that only educated women tend to defend their rights up to the judicial level, whereas rural women are afraid to bring their case into court.
DA Regional Technical Director Remelyn Recoter also stressed the role of women in the fight against climate change. She adds that rural women should also be knowledgeable of the issue, so as to make their stand.
The two-day congress also taught alternative livelihood. These include Fiber Processing by the Fiber Development Authority (FIDA), Food and Vegetable Processing by the National Mango Research and Development Center , and Fish Processing by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
DA Regional Executive Director Larry P. Nacionales said that the Rural Women Congress is the department’s project in helping women farmers and fisher folks in the region as vital partners in agriculture.
More than 100 women participated in the event. They include farmers, fisher folks, cooperative members, LGU’s workers, and women in attached agencies of the DA that are based in the rural areas.
Participants came from as far as Aklan, Antique, Guimaras, and Negros Occidental. Iloilo contingents are from Ajuy, Guimbal, Leganes , Miagao, Oton, Pototan, San Dionisio, San Joaquin , Tubungan and Zarraga. (DA_RAFID6)
