Women in rural and forest communities are vital to food security and environmental resilience. Their knowledge, often passed through generations, helps families adapt to extreme weather, resource scarcity, and agricultural challenges caused by climate change.
In early 2024, El Niño caused PHP 2.63 billion in agricultural damage in the Philippines, affecting over 54,000 farmers and nearly the same number of hectares. Women, who play central roles in food production and resource management, are crucial to overcoming these crises. The Department of Agriculture recognized Filipinas as key drivers of agricultural and economic development during the 2025 National Women’s Month celebration. Senator Imee Marcos stressed the importance of women in addressing global food insecurity under the theme “WE for Gender Equality and an Inclusive Society.”
Across Southeast Asia, indigenous women are also stepping forward. In East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, Maria Fatima Bunga, known as Mama Fatima, wakes at 4:00 a.m. daily to walk rocky paths and queue for water at the Ae Wuka spring. In the Mentawai Islands, Fernanda, a housewife from the Mentawai tribe, faces degraded forests and unproductive land.
Support has arrived through groups like Wahana Tani Mandiri (WTM) and Yayasan Citra Mandiri Mentawai (YCMM), both part of Aliansi Kolibri. WTM focuses on land restoration around Ae Wuka spring, while YCMM assists Fernanda’s Uma Samalelet community with forest mapping, seedlings, and training. These efforts have restored water sources, revived farmlands, and secured legal recognition for customary forest management.
Communities now see real results. In Korobhera Village, restored vegetation has improved soil fertility, water access, and biodiversity. In Madobag Village, reforested areas offer a sustainable livelihood and stronger indigenous rights. Women forest guardians continue to prove that sustainable practices, when supported, can ensure food on the table for future generations.
