2nd ICA- Japan Training Course for "Strengthening Women's Agricultural Cooperatives in Rural Areas and Important of Farm Management and Rural Life", Course Report- 2002 Thailand- Japan

Abstract

The status of women in rural institutions, especially in agricultural cooperatives, merits special attention since nearly 62% of women are engaged in agriculture and, at the same time, their numerical presence in agricultural cooperatives has risen to some extent. Although they can enter into the normal membership of such institutions, they hardly find a place in their management and hence they remain in the background due to religious, social and traditional impediments. Several factors, which limit the representation of women in the management and decision-making process, have been identified. Cases which restrict their participation, among others, include: women are not considered full-time farmers; women’s role is restricted largely to household chores; they do not get elected to managing committees because of restrictions placed on them by law and their households; and they are not exposed to new technologies and skills.