Leveraging data-driven innovations for advancing women’s empowerment in the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources (AANR) sector, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) co-organized the 4th International Conference on Women Empowerment and Leadership in Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources (WELA) 2026 on March 17-19, 2026, at the Cavite State University (CvSU) in Indang, Cavite.
Themed, “Inclusive Leadership and Foresight for Sustainable Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources,” the conference convened various stakeholders, researchers, and advocates to explore gender transformative approaches and forward-looking strategies in the AANR sector. The WELA 2026 also served as a platform to promote sustainable practices, celebrate women innovation, and empower marginalized groups in fostering a resilient and equitable AANR sector.
In his message of support, DOST-PCAARRD Executive Director Reynaldo V. Ebora emphasized that the Council’s initiatives and plans are grounded in gender perspectives, recognizing and promoting the roles and contributions of both women and men across all aspects of AANR development. He also highlighted the Council’s commitment to providing strategic leadership in science, technology, and innovation (STI) to strengthen the sector, ensure that benefits reach those who need them most, and enhance the Philippines’ global competitiveness through inclusive, and forward-looking leadership.
Along with Dr. Ebora, several distinguished keynote speakers shared their messages of support in the conference including His Excellency Ines Brown, Australian Ambassador to the Philippines, represented by Ms. Johanna Stratton, Counsellor for Political Affairs; Dr. Suzie Newman, General Manager for Partnerships at ACIAR; Hon. Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr., Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, represented by Dr. Karen Kristine A. Roscom, Director IV and Officer-in-Charge of the Policy Research Service; Dr. Mercedita A. Sombilla, SEARCA Center Director, represented by Dr. Rico Ancog, Deputy Director; and the presidents of the Caraga State University, Central Bicol State University of Agriculture, Mindanao State University–Naawan, University of the Philippines Mindanao, and University of the Philippines Visayas.
Anchored in inclusive leadership and foresight, the three-day conference emphasized the need for visionary and participatory governance to address the complex and interconnected challenges facing the AANR sectors, with particular attention to women’s contributions. Through key subthemes, including climate-smart and resilient practices, circular economy and waste valorization, digital transformation, green and blue economies, and capacity building and policy reform, the conference highlighted how the engagement of women and men stakeholders from various sectors facilitated strategic planning and the analysis of emerging trends, risks, and opportunities. This led to the identification of possible policy recommendations and practical strategies to address critical environmental issues, ultimately contributing to more sustainable and gender-responsive AANR systems.
DOST-PCAARRD led its own special plenary session, which featured the Council’s GAD R&D Agenda and four GAD projects supporting its gender mainstreaming initiatives under the subtheme, “Mainstreaming Gender in Agricultural Innovation: Institutional Platforms, Assessment Tools, and Inclusive Value Chains.” Representatives from PCAARRD’s Gender and Development and Special Projects Unit (GADSPU) served as session moderators and rapporteurs. The speakers shared learnings promoting an integrated approach to advancing women’s empowerment and leadership through gender-responsive institutions, tools, and value chain development.
Ms. Meliza F. Abeleda, Officer-in-Charge of the Socio-Economics Research Division (SERD), presented PCAARRD’s GAD R&D Agenda, emphasizing the importance of gender-responsive research and development for inclusive innovation in the AANR sector. Anchored on PCAARRD’s three-tiered GAD mainstreaming approach, namely science and technology innovation, livelihood and enterprise development, and gender and development integration, the Council envisions a gender-responsive R&D landscape by 2030 through strengthened research platforms, expanded gender analysis, innovative systems, and gender-informed policies.
Supporting the GAD R&D Agenda, PCAARRD’s special session highlighted following GAD projects: “Participatory Approach in Assessing and Promoting Women-led Permaculture among Selected Permaculture Sites in the AANR Sectors in the Philippines” led by Dr. Finaflor F. Taylan of the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU); “The Role of Gender and Collective Action in Unlocking the Potential of the Philippine Dairy Industry,” delivered by Ms. Maria Theresa M. Castro from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB); “Gender Analysis of AANR Technology Development and Transfer Processes Towards Gender-Responsive Standards, Protocols, and Assessment Tools” discussed by Dr. Mary Barby P. Badayos-Jover of the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV)”; and “Establishing a Gender and Development (GAD) Laboratory in the Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources (AANR) Sector” under the leadership of Ms. Mitchiko A. Lopez from University of the Philippines Mindanao (UPMin).
On the second day, a special plenary session led by the Meryl Williams Fellowship (MWF) was conducted, focusing on the theme, “Resilient AANR Systems: Empowering Women through Science, Policy, and Econometrics.” The session featured discussions on advancing women’s empowerment in agribusiness, veterinary diagnostics, and aquafisheries. It also highlighted innovative econometric approaches and the development of inclusive and resilient policies to support sustainable AANR development and management. Ms. Katrina Kae Principe, one of the MWF fellows and a Supervising Science Research Specialist at the Policy Coordination and Monitoring Division (PCMD) of DOST-PCAARRD, shared the Council’s insights and experiences on partnership-driven governance as a strategy to strengthen the AANR sector. Meanwhile, Dr. Jesselle S. Laranas, MWF Fellow and Supervising Science Research Specialist at the Office of the Executive Director for R&D (OED-RD), served as the session rapporteur and provided a synthesis of the discussion.
In the afternoon, the PCAARRD GAD Secretariat moderated the three parallel workshop sessions under the subtheme, “Empowering AANR Teams: Positive Workplaces, Research Methods, and Policy Skills” – Ms. Frances Efraim T. Valdez moderated the Building Positive Workplaces workshop, where participants learned management skills to enhance employee engagement and create a conducive work environment; while, Ms. Jo-Jee T. Ocampo led the Gender Research Methodologies in AANR workshop, where participants were introduced to various GAD tools and practices for mainstreaming GAD in AANR R&D initiatives; and Ms. Mary Jessica M. Juliano moderated the Policy Analysis and Development in AANR with the Policy Brief Drafting workshop, where practical tips were shared on drafting policy briefs based on policy recommendations from AANR projects. These sessions were facilitated by experts from both local and international agencies and were attended by researchers, faculty, students, and PCAARRD representatives.
To conclude the conference, Ms. Abeleda emphasized women's contributions as effective leaders, innovators, and change agents in the AANR sector. She highlighted that women must continue to be recognized, valued, and supported through inclusive and gender-responsive policies, research, and technologies. As a call to action, she encouraged everyone to move beyond dialogue and translate the conference insights into concrete policies, programs, and practices within their respective institutions.
WELA is an annual co-organized event by the Council as part of the Re-entry Action Plan (REAP) of eight Filipina Merry Williams Fellows. This year’s conference was spearheaded by Associate Professor Ma. Veronica P. Penaflorida, in collaboration with MWF Dr. Ma. Cynthia Rundina-Dela Cruz, of CvSU. The WELA conference continues to bring together diverse stakeholders to advance women empowerment and inclusive innovation in agriculture. Looking ahead, MSU-Naawan has been announced as the host of the next WELA conference, highlighting sustained momentum for gender-responsive innovation in the years to come.