Mother’s Day celebration last Sunday was expressed in various forms. Some individuals gave flowers, bought expensive presents, arranged for outside travels, and others devoted their time to be with their love ones who are either in hospitals or respective homes. The best part is the unified recognition on the importance of mothers in the lives of every creature nurtured by compassion and love. We salute all working mothers especially those in cooperatives.
A quick visit on the 2017 CDA-CAR Regional Data indicated that women dominate cooperative membership. Out of the monitored 554 reporting cooperatives data indicated that total membership is about 403,113 and 236,368 or 59% are women while men constitute about 166,745 or 41%. Total regular members composed of 147,856 female and 96,164 male. Associate members comprised of 88,512 female members and 68,581 male members.
Further, based the data generated from the Cooperative Annual Progress Reports, about 214 women were listed as Acting Managers, Managers/Chief Executive Officers of various cooperatives in CAR.
Moreover, about 30 females were listed as Secretary, 3 female compliance officers and 38 female accountants/ bookkeepers. As to the position of Chairperson about 62 females occupied the position.
In terms of employment, about 2,620 or sixty percent (60%) constitute the 4,339 workforce of cooperatives with about 1, 719 male employees.
The above information manifests that women in the Philippines have strong participation as members, staff and Chairperson of different cooperatives. I guess the shout and call for women empowerment had been effective with more cooperative women leaders joining the staff and officers of primary and secondary cooperatives.
Finally, the greatest challenge for women cooperative leaders is to prove that they can sustain the gains of the cooperatives they serve. Having the greater number in terms of membership and employment is an advantage if all women in cooperatives desire for growth and development of the communities they serve. We hope and pray that they shall be guided by the universally accepted cooperative principles, ethical standards and values in performing their tasks.
