WV rural women told to assert rights

ILOILO CITY – More than 100 women in rural areas in Western Visayas participated in the two-day Rural Women Congress by asserting their rights and empowering them as major partners in the development of rural economy.

DA Reg. Exec. Dir. Larry P. Nacionales said the women congress held November 11-12, 2009 is the department’s project in helping women farmers and fisher folks in the region as vital partners in agriculture.

Reg. Dir. David Bermudo of the Commission on Human Rights also exhorted women of their rights and helped 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 added that only educated women tend to defend their rights up to the judicial level, whereas rural women are afraid to bring their cases to court.

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 who are based in the rural areas.

Participants came from the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Guimaras, and Negros Occidental. Iloilo contingents are from the municplaities of Ajuy, Guimbal, Leganes, Miagao, Oton, Pototan, San Dionisio, San Joaquin, Tubungan and Zarraga.

DA RTD 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 programs. 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).

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