UPLB-ICOPED Faculty Castro Presents Dairy Industry Gender Study at 4th International WELA Conference 2026

INDANG, CAVITE —  Assistant Professor Maria Theresa M. Castro of the Institute of Cooperatives and Bio-Enterprise Development presented the findings of the study titled “The Role of Gender and Collective Action in Unlocking the Potential of the Philippine Dairy Industry,” at the 4th International Conference on Women Empowerment and Leadership in Agriculture (WELA) on March 17 at Cavite State University, together with project technical assistants Ms. Princess Anne Curioso and Ms. Via Z. Cabuyao. 

The presentation formed part of the PCAARRD Special Plenary Session, which focused on “Mainstreaming Gender in Agricultural Innovation: Institutional Platforms, Assessment Tools, and Inclusive Value Chains.” The conference carries the theme “Inclusive Leadership and Foresight for Sustainable Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources.”

Findings from this UPLB-ICOPED led study highlight the “triple role” carried by women in the Philippine dairy sector—as farm workers, household caregivers, and cooperative members or community leaders. Despite their substantial contributions, women continue to face unequal access to resources, persistent gender role stereotyping, and limited participation in decision-making processes.

The study further showed that despite the economic and social benefits cooperatives offer, these are unevenly distributed along gender lines, with women's triple burden limiting their access to income, resources, and a voice in household, organizational, and community decisions.

To address these disparities, the team recommended gender-responsive cooperative policies, stronger capacity-building and education programs, inclusive technology access, reduced membership barriers, and the integration of gender and collective action frameworks into the National Dairy Policy.

"Education emerged as the strongest enabling factor across all outcomes," Castro said, noting its effect on productivity, participation, and opportunity for both men and women.

WELA 2026 brought together researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to advance inclusive agricultural development. 

#WELA2026 #UPLB #ICOPED #GenderAndDevelopment #DairyIndustry 

Written by: MSCurioso
Edited by: MTMCastro