The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) reaffirmed its commitment to advancing women’s empowerment in agriculture through its participation in the 2nd International Conference on Women Empowerment and Leadership in Agriculture (WELA). In collaboration with the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA), the hybrid conference took place in Naga City from March 11–12, 2024.
Themed “Celebrating women leaders in championing the SDGs,” WELA gathered faculty members, researchers, policymakers, students, and local government units (LGU). Throughout the two-day event, discussions were focused on women leadership in agriculture and food security, women leading in peace and conflict resolution, gender in research and governance, development of policy briefs, quality alternative education, social entrepreneurship, and more.
In his message of support, DOST-PCAARRD Executive Director Reynaldo V. Ebora highlighted that the Council has always believed that gender considerations are pivotal to high-quality research with the ultimate aim of advancing gender equality and social inclusion in the country. This has been echoed by CBSUA President Alberto N. Nepali and the Australian Ambassador to the Philippines, Her Excellency Hae Kyong Yu, Public Service Medal (PSM), who both recognized that inclusivity and women empowerment should be pursued for AANR innovation to move forward.
WELA is an annual conference initiated by the Filipina Meryl Williams Fellows (MWF). It has been an effective platform for exchanging updated scientific knowledge and experiences in forwarding gender in sustainable development. This year’s WELA brought in notable speakers from various technical and cultural backgrounds across the globe to share their expertise from their fields.
The conference is composed of three plenary sessions, each discussing women’s leadership roles in various sectors. The first day of the conference mainly focused on discussing the linkages of women in fisheries management, organic and root crop value chains, rural development, food security, research and development (R&D), and peace and conflict management. The speakers presented the best practices and frameworks that empower women to take on leadership roles. The second day continued with the promotion of Gender and Development (GAD) in education, R&D, and entrepreneurship. Speakers presented positive impacts and contributions of integrating GAD in program and systems design.
Four DOST-PCAARRD-funded GAD projects were presented in the two-day conference including projects on “Expanding Organic Vegetable Production Capacity Building of Female Farmers in Organic Vegetable Production and Marketing in Laguna;” “Development of S&T-based Gender-responsive and Crisis-resilient Root and Tuber Crops Value Chain Through a Participatory Market Chain Approach” led by Dr. Lorna E. Sister from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB); “Gender Analysis Framework and Monitoring and Evaluation Tools in Gender Responsive AANR Development Projects (GAME Tools in AANR)” under the leadership of Dr. Blesshe L. Querijero (UPLB); and “Annotated Compendium of Gender and Development Research in Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources (AANR): Towards Developing the AANR Gender and Development Research and Development Agenda and Framework” under Dr. Glory Dee A. Romo (UP Mindanao).
The 2nd International Conference on WELA was conducted in close partnership between CBSUA (host), Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), Australian Aid, DOST-PCAARRD, Cavite State University, UP Mindanao, Mindanao State University-Naawan, Caraga State University, Xavier University, Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges-V (PASUC V), and the Philippine Association of Research Managers-Bicol. DOST-PCAARRD has been supporting qualified professional/scientific and academic organizations that pursue activities advocating the Council’s banner programs and goals. The 3rd WELA was announced to be hosted by MSU-Naawan in March 2025. (Jo-Jee T. Ocampo, DOST-PCAARRD S&T Media Services)
