Expanding Roles of Men and Women in Aquatic Agricultural Systems in the Philippines

This paper is an attempt to describe the expanding roles of women and men in eight areas, five in the Visayas and three in Mindanao, that are potential pilot areas for the CGIAR project on Aquatic Agricultural Systems (AAS) in the Philippines. Data were obtained from Focus Group Discussions conducted between August and October 2012 with fishers, farmers, and women in the potential sites during the pre-scoping study on the drivers and trends of development in Visayas and Mindanao for the CGIAR Project. Results show men and women increasingly complement each other in reproductive and productive roles, thereby forging a stronger partnership both in the home front and in income generating activities, primarily in farming and fishing, to combat poverty and improve the family well-being. The greater need to diversify livelihoods due to climate change has also been found to further require the expanding roles of men and women. Women have also become more active in community endeavors, although men have been found to maintain lead roles in the community.