The Department of Agricultural Marketing and Cooperatives organized a four-day Training of Trainers (ToT) program on Climate Change and Action for Women Co-operators from October 21 to 24, 2024, at Jambayang Resort in Thimphu, Bhutan. The program welcomed four delegates from the ICA-AP committee on women, including the Regional Director of the International Cooperative Alliance-Asia and Pacific (ICA-AP) and two resource persons from the National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO) in the Philippines. This initiative was funded by the Japanese Consumers Cooperative Union (JCCU) under the ICA-AP Gender Project and facilitated by NATCCO.
Twenty-five women participants from various organizations attended, including Economic Development and Marketing Officers, Post Production officers, Gewog RNR Extension Supervisors, Gewog Administration Officers, and Entrepreneurs. The training delved into comprehensive understanding of climate change, exploring its types, sources, and far-reaching effects, both locally and globally. The training highlighted the disproportionate impact of climate change on women and cooperatives, emphasizing the urgent need for gender-responsive climate action.
By identifying climate change problems within their own communities, participants were empowered to take ownership of solutions. Practical tools such as waste and energy audits were introduced to enable cooperatives to implement tangible climate actions. It also emphasized the crucial role women can play in mitigating climate change. The participants aim to take this learning back to their communities and inspire women to take action in mitigating climate change and building a sustainable future.
This program is crucial for developing the skills necessary to address the challenges of climate change in agriculture. It aims to equip officials with knowledge of climate adaptation strategies and sustainable farming practices, which they can share with farmer groups and cooperatives, particularly women co-operators. By adopting a gender-responsive approach, the program seeks to empower women, who often face significant barriers in agriculture, by promoting their leadership roles and enhancing their ability to adapt to climate impacts. Additionally, the program will strengthen cooperatives by integrating climate-smart solutions and policies to boost grassroots resilience. Trained officials will assist women co-operators in accessing climate finance, adopting sustainable practices, and improving market access, thereby promoting long-term sustainability. This training will ensure that climate adaptation and gender equity become fundamental aspects of agricultural development.
The closing ceremony was graced by the presence of Dasho Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and the Regional Director of the ICA-AP.
Overall, this event will significantly enhance knowledge-sharing and empower women co-operators across the country. The participants will soon submit their action plans to ICA-AP as a commitment to climate action.
