Women Participation in Oyster Production in Pangasinan

Abstract

Climate and potential culture grounds are the major reasons of Filipinos to engage in oyster production. Labor, usually manual labor, is an important factor in oyster production. The participation of women in any livelihood activity signifies their importance as an economic human being and that their contribution is being recognized and valued. However, her role in any productive and economic activity such as in the case of oyster production was studied in order to determine her importance and value as perceived by them.
This study described the participation of women in oyster production in Pangasinan particularly in Naguilayan, Binmaley, and Lucao, Dagupan City. The indicators that help the researchers describe the subjects of this study were profile, participation in oyster production, reasons for participating in oyster production and their view on gender stereotyped statements. Frequency counts, ranking, percentages and mean were used. The study revealed that the respondents are adult, achieved an average level of education, without other sources of income, have an adequate size of oyster farm, and earning monthly income enough for the family. They are confined in less challenging work in oyster production. Respondents are still stereotypical. It is recommended that respondents should assess their knowledge and skills and use them for other livelihood activities. The local government units, government organization, peoples organizations, and non-government organization should intervene if financial constraints impede women from acquiring education and later to develop more of their capabilities as economic women and social individual. Gender sensitivity training and establishment of people’s organization or cooperative are needed.