The session on November 15th opened with introductory remarks from Ms. Kanako Miyazawa,  Senior International Officer of the Japanese Consumers’ Co-operative Union (JCCU). She explained that the main objective of the workshop is to explore how co-operatives can create an equal space for both men and women. Dr. Nandini Azad, Chairperson (interim) of the ICA Asia and Pacific Committee on Women highlighted the status of women in different countries, rate of employment etc. Despite global progress, many countries are still grappling with low sex-ratios, unequal pay between men and women, low employment rates for women, low participation rate of women in decision-making positions in organizations, including co-ops. She said that co-op development would be enhanced only if women’s voices are heard. Ms. Marjaana Saarikosk from the SOK Corporation in Finland and Ms. Stefania Marcone from Legacoop in Italy gave inspiring stories from their respective countries which can be emulated by other countries as well.

Participants at the session

The presentations were followed by break-out sessions where the participants were formed into six groups to discuss the following questions: What is gender integration or gender equality? What are the challenges posed against gender equality in co-ops? What can be the vision to have more gender-just co-ops? The groups came up with interesting ideas on the questions posed. There were overlapping points made, but the gist of the discussion from the group work included the need for large-scale behavioral change to affect any gender equality and training on collection of gender-disaggregated data, as the lack of statistics, is a huge impediment in implementing gender-sensitive policies. A point was raised on how the conversation also needs to go beyond gender binaries and include transgender people as well. There should be gender mainstreaming of co-operative budgets to sustain the goal of gender equality. Regulatory structures and laws should be in consonance with the overarching need for equal treatment of male and female co-operators. Dr. Azad concluded the workshop by summarizing the points made by all groups and praising the participants for delivering important suggestions.