QUEZON CITY, Metro Manila—The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) furthers its efforts to promote the empowerment of women in the agriculture sector through a symposium dubbed as “Celebrating Women in Agriculture: Rural Women as Pillars of Agricultural Innovation and Development” this National Women’s Month.

Around 50 women farmers, Rural Improvement Club (RIC) members, extension workers, and ATI Gender and Development (GAD) focal persons joined the activity. During the opening program, ATI Partnerships and Accreditation Division Assistant Chief Elsa Parot welcomed the attendees on behalf of Officer-in-Charge Director Luz Taposok.

In her written message for the event, Taposok lauded all women in agriculture for their ability to nurture families, lead communities, and undertake farming activities all at the same time. She underscored that women should not merely be considered as support system for men as they also “initiate and provide important economic efforts in agricultural production.”

“Today, more and more women leaders in agriculture are emerging. Through this event, I know that more women will be capacitated and have their attitude, knowledge and skills further enhanced,” she added.

Also gracing the opening program were 12 delegates from Thailand who are part of an ongoing exchange program for rural women development. These women will be in Bicol for a week-long learning journey at ATI Learning Sites and partner RIC areas.

As a sign of their gratitude, the Thai delegates handed over some of their local agricultural products including handicrafts, mangosteen-based soap, banana and durian chips, and fish-based snacks. Marieta Rodulfo, president of Sto. Domingo RIC in Alicia, Isabela, also shared with them the vision and activities of their group of more than 300 members.

Gender specialist Gichelle Cruz kicked off the lecture series as she talked about the Magna Carta of Women and the role of women in agriculture. Underscoring the importance of gender equality and women’s empowerment in sustainable development, Cruz called on the attendees to have a collective voice to ensure an inclusive society where both men and women have equal opportunities.

“We need to be aware of the gender dimensions of our national services and programs. We need to promote a gender-sensitive culture,” Cruz said as she discussed women’s rights and privileges, GAD activities, and challenges that women face in the country today.

Advocacy films on women and children were also shown, including ‘Boses’ by Erasto Films. Other activities lined up for the week-long celebration are knowledge-sharing sessions, free seminar on organic agriculture, and a tour at ATI learning areas at its central office compound.

The opening program for the ‘Women in Agriculture’ symposium was held on March 22, 2018 at the Great Eastern Hotel in this city.