Rapid Care Analysis in Building Sustainable Women-led Enterprises in Haiyan-affected Communities

Abstract

Household and community responsibilities affect women’s continued involvement in livelihood programs. This study uncovered women’s care work circumstances in a cassava-value chain enterprise project, a recovery initiative implemented by Visayas State University (VSU) and Oxford Committee for Famine Relief (OXFAM) after typhoon Haiyan. Seven sectors participated in the study, using Rapid Care Analysis with focused group discussions. The data revealed that households still practiced the patriarchal structure and gender division of labor. Women and homosexuals performed unpaid care work in the household and in the community. Moreover, adult women experienced multiple burdens as they took part both in paid and unpaid work, aside from home responsibilities, to augment their family income. The 4R approach was used to unload women from their burdens; thus, allowing them to actively engage in productive activities. Policies and programs were recommended to achieve transformation, gender equality, and economic justice among marginalized sectors like women.