Madaymen Women’s Federation: A Partner in Community Development in Barangay Madaymen, Kibungan, Benguet.

Abstract

This study determined the socio-demographic profile of the respondents, described how the MWF came about as an organization, determined the efforts of MWF in promoting community development, specifically on the aspects of education, economic, social, political development, and other activities, identified the challenges encountered by the organization and solicited suggestions for the improvement of the federation. The study was conducted in Madaymen, Kibungan, Benguet. The respondents are 73 women who were chosen through snowball technique represented by the seven organizations of the Madaymen Women’s Federation. Data were gathered through interview schedule and focus group discussions supplemented with secondary source reviews. The data were analysed, classified, and summarized. Data were presented through tabular and descriptive form. Since 1980, women in Madaymen are actively joining different activities promoting community development. The creation of women’s organization was strengthened from the establishment of the first day care center in the municipality. Recently, there are seven women’s organizations that were federated and they are involved with different community development activities particularly in the areas of educationa, economic, social and political development. There were several challenges encountered by the organization in the aspects of resources which include time, facilities/equipment and funds; interpersonal communication which include relationship with other members/groups, agreements, rules and regulations or managing the members; organizational set-up, which include the problems they encountered in conducting meetings or planning, implementation and monitoring or evaluation; communication practices/information dissemination, and the participation of officers and members. Further, some respondents suggested that they must strengthen cooperation, source out more funds, strengthen the spirit of volunteerism and conduct leadership training for the improvement of the federation.