Gender Roles in the Mangrove Reforestation Programmes in Barangay Talokgangan, Banate, Iloilo, Philippines: A Case Study Where Women Have Sustained the Efforts

A study was conducted to understand the roles played by female and male members of the Talokgangan Concerned Citizens Association (TaCCAs) in the mangrove reforestation programme in Barangay Talokgangan, Banate, Iloilo, Philippines. When established in 1997, more members were men than women, but by 2010 most of the members of TaCCAs were women. Most members now are over 50 years of age, have elementary education, and have been residents since birth. Respondents reported that they joined the TaCCAs to help their community, to benefit from government projects, to organise as a group and to have other sources of income. Women’s participation was higher in the planning process, during meetings, nursery development and in maintenance, as well as in mangrove management and protection. Men were involved in the construction and maintenance of fences in the mangrove area. Some of the benefits the respondents enjoyed from the mangrove replanting included protection from strong waves during typhoons, stability of the soil where their houses stood and monetary incentives from selling mangrove seedlings. Some of the issues encountered by the members included lack of support from other community members, lack of funds, and conflict within the household over time devoted to the work.