Economic Contribution of Women in Watershed Development

This study zooms into the economic contribution of women engaged in watershed development vis a vis climate change adaptation, mitigation and sustainability practices in Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines. Women farmers usually own less than a hectare of land and plant palay, corn, vegetables as their common crops. They play vital economic contribution in crop/vegetable production like planting, fertilizing and harvesting as well as feeding, herding and marketing in livestock/ animal production. They perform productive, managing and reproductive work, which are not compensatory with money- these activities do not have salary. Off-farm activities like food processing their own products (ginger-making, tomato sauce making), making walis-tambo, environmental-friendly business like recycling-bakal bote), women farmers can increase their economic contribution. By these technologies, they come to truly realize their potentials as economic contributors and thereby realized also that by doing so, they have empowered themselves. This research recommends that policies about women should be strengthened even at the grassroots level. Their role and part in the family, community and society are deemed necessary that could not be neglected as this study shown. As the future trajectory of the research government should be on MATERNAL HEALTH.