Minimum Candidate Qualifications

This course is for women scientists, research and project managers, extension workers, social workers, and small entrepreneurs. Preferably, they should be women who are currently occupying leadership positions or are expected to occupy such positions in the near future. To attain maximum learning from the course, they must have a proficiency in English that will enable them to speak and write with ease in that language. Women who are willing to do outdoor activities that will require physical stamina whose ages are between 25-45 are preferred.

Cost of Training
Course fee will cover board and lodging, medical insurance, airport pick-up/ send off and related expenses during the conduct of the training at IRRI HQ. Air tickets should be provided directly to the participant by her sponsor.

Deadline of Application
Applications to attend the course will be accepted until October 30, 2012.

For additional information, contact

Dr. Thelma Paris Socio-economist-Gender Specialist Social Sciences Division Email: t.paris@irri.org Phone: +63 (2) 580 5600 ext 2312 Dr. Noel P. Magor Head, Training Center IRRITraining@irri.org Email: n.magor@irri.org Phone: +63 (2) 580 5600 ext 2749/2217 International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) DAPO Box 7777, Metro Manila, Philippines Fax: (63- 2) 891-1292; 580 5699 Phone: (63- 2) 845-0563; 580 5600 URL: www.training.irri.org www.knowledgebank.irri.org

Rationale
Traditionally, Asian and African women have been assigned support roles relative to the men in the family. The other social institutions of religion, school, and subsequently marriage have often re-enforced this female supportive role, and thus, majority of working women today have limited experience in leading others. This discrepancy needs to be filled, as women take their place as an important economic contributor to the Asian and African workforce, and find themselves in positions of leadership.

Course Objectives
The course will enable participants to: understand the concepts of gender analysis, gender mainstreaming in research and technology development, leadership, and project management relevant to Asian/African women; gain adequate knowledge of rice and ricerelated production, post harvest and processing technologies which can directly benefit women; develop an action plan applying their knowledge and skills learned from this course; establish a cadre of women who can lead their respective institutions in mainstreaming gender concerns in R.D and E, particularly in improving the livelihoods of grassroots women and; establish a network of Women Leaders in Agricultural Research and Development in Asia and Africa (WLARDAA).

The concept notes developed may feed into the on-going or future Agricultural R&D Projects in Asia and Africa. The development of a core group of women scientists, research and project managers, extension workers, and social workers amongst key stakeholders.

Expected Number of Participants

Maximum of 25

Instructional Methods
Enhanced lectures with practical sessions in the field Testimonials Role playing Drawing on personal experience Group/Dyad discussions Individual projects and presentations Visits to womens projects Use of the Rice Knowledge Bank for accessing knowledge for extension

This course targets the development of women scientists, research and project managers, extension workers, social workers and small entrepreneurs. It will encourage them to take the lead in generating information and knowledge, making an impact on men and women farmers practices, and influencing policies that affect the sector.

This training course will locate womens leadership development within the context of their work with the latest developments in rice technology that are relevant to farmers, changing climate and rice for stress prone environments, quality seed production, networking and organization linkages for dissemination of new technology, and the writing of concept notes. This 6-day course aims to develop the leadership skills of Asian and African women in agriculture R, D & E to make them more effective agents of change in the agriculture sector.

Date & Venue

19-24 November 2012 Training Center International Rice Research Institute Los Baos, Laguna, Philippines

Expected outcomes

Using each of the above developed skills, prepare specific concept notes for funding for the dissemination of new rice technology for stress prone rice environments that is women led and focused on dissemination of technology through grassroots women.