Gawis ay Juana: Women’s Roles and Contribution in Rural Agriculture and Community Development

Although women's crucial role in agriculture has long been acknowledged, a dearth of studies exploring how these roles are defined, recognized, and valued in specific local contexts is evident. Hence, this study was conducted to describe the roles of women in local agricultural practices and community development. The thematic analysis of the interview transcripts with 10 participants revealed salient findings. The study revealed that the roles of women in local agricultural practices are managing crop production and livestock, managing agricultural labor and resource, sharing agricultural innovation and knowledge, and leading community agricultural initiatives. Meanwhile, the roles of women in community development are organizing social and cultural activities, participating in health and education initiatives, and engaging in entrepreneurial initiatives. Clearly, the study emphasizes the vital roles that women play in both local agricultural practices and community development, where they manage resources, lead agricultural initiatives, and contribute to social, health, education, and entrepreneurial activities. Hence, it is recommended that policies and programs be implemented to further support and empower women by providing enhanced access to training, resources, and leadership opportunities in both agriculture and community development.