Original Article

Gender roles of Obu Manuvu women and leaders in the conservation of the Philippine Brown Deer Rusa marianna Desmarest, 1822

Authors:
Mary Fil M. Bauyot^1,2, Jhonnel P. Villegas^3,4,5 and Vanessa E. Asaias^2,4
1Gender Research and Resource Center, Davao Oriental State University, City of Mati, Davao Oriental, 8200 Philippines
²Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Davao Oriental State University, City of Mati, Davao Oriental, 8200 Philippines
³Faculty of Teacher Education, Davao Oriental State University, City of Mati, Davao Oriental, 8200 Philippines
⁴Center for Futures Thinking and Regenerative Development, Davao Oriental State University, City of Mati, Davao Oriental, 8200 Philippines
⁵Department of Animal Science and Food Processing, Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, 16500 Prague, Czech Republic

ABSTRACT

Philippine brown deer Rusa marianna Desmarest 1822, has been considered a conservation priority following its declaration as an endangered species by the Philippine Red List of Threatened Fauna in 2020. The research study analyzed the gender roles of women and men in the conservation of the Philippine brown deer (R. marianna) in the Obu Manuvu Ancestral Domain (OMAD) in Baguio District, Davao City, Philippines. Using the Harvard Analytical Framework (HAF), the study explored women’s and men’s (1) activity profile, (2) access to and control over resources, (3) knowledge, beliefs, and perceptions, (4) decision-making power, (5) laws, legal rights, policies, and institutions, and (6) priorities, and needs/ opportunities, and constraints. Sixteen individuals participated in the key informant interviews (KIIs), represented by chieftains, elders, and women. The results of the gender analysis conveyed that women and men are primarily involved in deer conservation. Gender gaps have been documented in education, employment, and resource management, showing that men have better access than women. However, both genders are provided access to information and training as part of the capacity-building for conservation works. In terms of employment preference, Obu Manuvu men largely dominated the farming jobs, while women worked home-based. They are also given equal rights regarding their participation in the decision making process and property ownership. A livelihood program is considered one of the needs of the indigenous community, which includes the opportunity to economize their conservation services. Therefore, the study recommends that gender roles be integrated into formulating a conservation model. Providing equal education, employment, and livelihood opportunities for women and men is vital to the deer’s sustainable conservation.

Keywords: conservation, gender analysis, gender roles, Harvard analytical framework

^{Available Online: 22 July 2024}

How to Cite:
Bauyot, MFM, Villegas JP and Asaias VE. 2024. Gender Roles of the Obu Manuvu Women and Leaders in the Conservation of the Philippine Brown Deer Rusa marianna Desmarest, 1822. The Palawan Scientist, 16(2): 47-56. https://doi.org/10.69721/TPS.J.2024.16.2.05

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License