Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda on Monday, March 4 renewed her push for gender inclusivity in the agricultural sector saying she believes women play a key role in agriculture.

Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda graces the National Women’s Month Celebration at the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)-Central Office with the theme "WE for Gender Equality and Inclusive Society.” (Photo by O/S Loren Legarda)

“Women are key players in our fight against hunger and malnutrition, yet they face systemic barriers that limit their potential,” Legarda said at the National Women’s Month Celebration kick-off at the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)-Central Office.

“Overcoming women’s marginalization and giving them financial independence are imperatives for the entire sector to thrive,” the senator added.

A Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) study found that women occupy merely 26 percent of the employment in the agriculture sector. 

But in the usually male-dominated field, women face challenges such as unpaid home duties such as food preparation and relegation to lower paid work in the sector.

Women are also not normally considered in work such as land preparation and use of farm equipment, she noted.

Legarda said it is high-time such issues are addressed through legislation and concrete action to eradicate gender-based disparities and recognize women's contributions to agriculture.
 

The senator noted that among the existing laws to protect and empower women include 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,” said Legarda.
 

“I will continue to advocate and empower women in agriculture, in the economy, and all areas of life by recognizing their strengths, addressing their challenges, and providing them with the opportunities they deserve, creating a more resilient, inclusive, and equitable Philippines,” she stressed.