The Invisible and the Backbone: A Critical Analysis on the Occupational Health Challenges Faced by Farming Women of Barangay Labuin, Santa Cruz, Laguna

Abstract

Farming as one of the most rigorous physical labor in the world implicates occupational health issues that require to be addressed, particularly towards women who work in this field. The lack of inquiry on the occupational health issues of farming leads to the further invisibilization of their labor and participation in farming communities in the Philippines. The theories of Social Relation and Social Role explained why women are often not recognized for their work mainly due to their gender that neglects the need for deeper understanding of their labor and participation in rice production in the country. Previous studies have focused mainly on the quantitative aspects of this study which overlooks the complex experiences of women in rice production that tackles their health and occupational wellbeing. On top of occupational health issues, farming women were also faced with issues that added weight to their occupational health issues. The data used in this study were from previous studies accumulated through document analysis and narrative and thematic analysis to dive deeper into the firsthand experiences of farming women in Laguna and how their work affects their health and wellbeing as marginalized women. It was found through this study that occupational hazards in rice production affect the health and wellbeing of farming women. Not only this, external factors were found to contribute to the exacerbation of their health and wellbeing as women in rice production that must be further explored.