Gender Analysis of Women in The Philippine Agriculture
Gender Analysis of Women in The Philippine Agriculture
Gender Analysis of Women in The Philippine Agriculture
May-2010
Recommended Citation
Lu, Jinky Leilanie (2010). Gender Analysis of Women in the Philippine Agriculture and Their Occupational Issues. Journal of
International Women's Studies, 11(4), 73-82.
Available at: http://vc.bridgew.edu/jiws/vol11/iss4/5
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By Jinky Leilanie Lu 1
Abstract
Feminist research shows how gender, in interaction with other socioeconomic
differentiation theories on class and ethnicity, influences agrarian transition, health
patterns, and economic development. In the highland community where this study was
conducted, women play a very important role in the production of vegetables and crops.
At the same time, there are hazards facing these women predisposing them to certain
occupational health issues. As such, this research study aimed to look into occupational
issues of women, as well as certain cultural, political, socio- economic perceptions and
attributes that affect women’s occupational issues. 251 women farmers from identified
communities using cluster sampling were included in this study for the survey
questionnaire.. The data collection tools were structured personal interview, key
informant interview, and secondary data gathering. 59% of the women said that farming
was family-based. 28.3% had children under 18 years old involved in farming. The most
commonly used pesticide was manzeb, a carbamate, for a duration of 20 years. 59.4%
reported that sickness was perceived to be due to occupational exposure to pesticides
during application in the field. In the FGDs cultural, political, and socio-economic
factors that affect their occupational and health issues were looked into. This study aimed
to target women in agriculture and their occupational issues to influence local and
national policies concerning them.
Introduction
The study was conducted in Benguet which is located in northern Philippines, and
has the highest altitude for a landbased population. The area is considered as the “salad
bowl of the Philippines” because of its high commercial production of vegetables.
Farming in Benguet is family-based, and many women are engaged in farming (FPA,
2001). This study dealt with women farmers who have grown up in the area, and whose
farms were previously owned by their parents or grandparents.
Aside from socioeconomic and cultural factors in the agricultural sector that
disadvantage women compared to men, there are also physical factors that predispose the
former to greater health and safety risks. The reproductive function of women is affected
by farming activities and by chemicals used. Differences in size and stature, as well as
relative low oxygen uptake may also predispose women to certain injuries and illnesses
(McCoy, et.al., 2002).
1
Research Professor 1, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila Manila,
Philippines, [email protected]
Methods
The study focused in Benguet, Philippines which is the largest vegetable
growing area for certain vegetables in the Philippines. More than 75% of the community
are engaged in commercial agriculture. This is why the area was chosen.
251 women farmers from the identified communities in Benguet were the sample
population for the survey questionnaire. They were selected using cluster sampling. The
clustering was based on the top four producers of vegetables in the province of Benguet.
Three focus group discussions were conducted consisting of 6-7 women farmers each.
The data collection tools included structured personal interview survey
questionnaire, and secondary data gathering. The questionnaire contained information on
demographics, pesticide practices and occupational risk factors. The FGDs looked into
cultural, political and socio-economic fators that affect women’s occupational and
environmental health issues.
This manuscript arises from an overall project that was given ethical clearance by
the National Institutes of Health, Univeristy of the Philippines Manila.
Married farmers being the bulk of this population may predispose their families to
pesticide exposure through take-home exposures such as toxins from the clothes and
shoes worn during pesticide activities or exhalation from the parent’s lungs (Cantor and
Young- Holt, 2002).
A majority of the farmers were able to finish or at least reach high school level
(31.9.%); about 34.3% reached grade school, 22.3% reached the collegiate level, 4.4%
underwent vocational studies while about 1.6% reached post graduate education. See Table 2.
When asked about the members of the household working with pesticides and
assisting in the farm, 59% said that other family members were involved. The mode of
adults working with pesticides was 3 (41.8%). 71, or 28.3% said that children under 18
years old were involved in pesticide and farming. This can pose as a siginificant problem
in regard to health of the household. McCauley et al. (2003) found significant association
between pesticide residues and the number of family members working with high
exposure pesticide activities.
Only 187 respondents chose to disclose their sexual activity and about 60.43%
had been sexually active for the past five years. 0.5% of the women had their menarche
before the age of ten. The mean age of first menstruation was 13 years old ( + 1.955).
19.3% had theirs at the age of 11-13 years old, 19% at the age of 14 to 16 years old and
3.5% experienced it at a latter age (more than 16 years old). 15.8% had normal duration
of menses while 2.3 % had prolonged duration of menses. One hundred and twenty six
women or 31.5% had regular menstruation with majority having 28 day menstrual cycle
(16.5%). 21% of the women said they had increased menstrual flow while seventy five
(18.8%) reported having dysmenorrheal or menstrual pains.
Data showed that 11.2 % of the mothers had aborted pregnancies. This may be
linked to pesticide exposure. A study has shown the positive correlation of heavy or
chronic pesticide exposure with spontaneous abortion (Bretveld, et.al., 2008).
The most commonly used pesticides in terms of duration in years was manzeb, a
carbamate, for a duration of 20 years. This was followed by chix, a pyrethroid, for 19
years, and then by tamaron, an organophosphate, for a duration of 18 years.
Organophosphorus terminates the action of acetylcholine neurotransmitter that leads to
delayed and irreversible neuromuscular effects usually seen in extremities (Vermeire,
2003; Keifer et. al., 2007). In the common parlance, this can lead to paralysis.
18.7% of the women farmers said that they received instructions from government
and business establishments on safety precautions in agriculture and pesticide
application. However, 81.3% still did not receive safety instructions.
In terms of use of personal protective equipments, majority said that they wore
them (71%). However, when itemized, 63.3% did not wear coveralls, 68.5% did not wear
gas masks, but majority wore cloth wrapped around their face as protection from
inhalation of pesticide vapours. 70.5% did not use eye goggles, while only 5% did not
wear boots. The most frequently used personal protective equipment consisted of boots
and gloves. This is consistent with a study where gloves were the most commonly used
personal protective equipment because the hands were the most exposed areas (Hines et
al., 2007).
Table 4. Cultural, political, social and economic perceptions and attributes that
affect women’s occupational issues
Factors Specific responses of Women Farmers
Cultural factors Women farmers in particular, and farmers in general are not
susceptible to illness. They believe that they are resistant to
illnesses.
The women believed that pesticides are not really toxic. Farmers
are not aware that no matter how much more pesticide is used, it
does not make it more potent. A threshold level is attained with a
particular dosage.
The women farmers are not aware that chronic illnesses can
develop over a long period of time, and may not be detectable
immediately after exposure to a hazard, and may also not be
attributable to work exposures because of its long standing effect.
The women farmers believe that occupational injuries and
illnesses occur because of fate, not because of the presence of
unsafe conditions and unsafe practices.
The women farmers believe that makeshift personal protective
equipment (PPE) are as good as the required standard PPEs. The
Discussion
Gender analysis and balanced development
Agricultural health is often understood as men’s issues since agricultural work is
regarded as masculine. In developing counties, however, such as in the Philippines,
women are equally and actively engaged in agriculture. There are even studies that show
women’s engagement in agricultural work as more intense than that of the male. UNICEF
identified that women make up the majority of the population working in agriculture in
most developing countries, but they are marginalized with respect to economic and social
empowerment (2009). Based on the 2000 UN report, women are twice as likely as men
to be involved in agriculture-related activity. Labor participation of women workers in
the agricultural labor force vary, but globally, women have a principal role in
agribusiness, food processing, and consumer-related activity, marketing and value added
food processing. Despite this vital role of women in agriculture, their occupational health
issues are rarely discussed and covered by researchers and policy makers.
Espousing women’s agricultural and occupational issues enables us to understand that
women are also exposed to hazards in agriculture, not only men farmers. By having this
gender analysis of women’s agricultural and occupational issues, we can have hard data
and real statistics on women’s health issues in the agricultural sector. Analysis of the
situations of women can also provide an understanding of their dilemma, and thus
provide basis for change in legislation, cultural practices, policies, and programs that will
benefit them.
Conclusion
This manuscript has investigated certain factors affecting the occupational issues
of women farmers in Benguet. Current knowledge on the adverse effects of pesticides
especially on the health of women is largely insufficient.
It is mportant that pesticide regulatory agencies restrict the use of toxic pesticides,
and curb overuse of these chemicals. Women and agriculture are a good match, but
women and pesticides do not go together perfectly.
Gender analysis is seen as essential for solving agricultural and environmental
problems. The role of women in agriculture needs to be recognized, and institutional
support must be given including health and health care reforms for women farmers.
This study conducted in the Philippines shows the inherent work issues of women due to
their major role in farming and pesticide application. .
Gender analysis in agriculture and its many aspects is essential for policy
formulation and programme planning to ensure efforts are taken into consideration for
women farmers as well as for equity in resource allocation and a balanced development
that benefits not only men but also women farmers.
References