The ICA-AP Committee on Women organised a webinar on ‘Opportunities for Women Cooperators in Asia-Pacific Post COVID-19’ on 24 August 2021. It was attended by 35 participants from nine countries (China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Palestine, Philippines, Singapore and Sri Lanka).

This year’s theme for the International Day of Cooperatives ‘Rebuild Better Together’ fits well with how cooperatives around the world are contributing towards a sustainable and better future. The webinar focused on the opportunities that have opened up for women as a result of the initiatives by cooperatives to fight the pandemic.

In her welcome remarks, Ms. Chitose Arai, Acting Chairperson of the Women’s Committee noted that the unprecedented crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting structural changes in the economy and society provides an opportunity to improve the status of women. Post COVID-19, it has become even more important to implement gender-sensitive policies, promote women’s participation in decision-making, and raise women’s voices for the realization of SDGs. Though the situation surrounding women differs from country to country, we must work together to ensure that the members of the Women's Committee can realise their full potential against the COVID-19 pandemic, discrimination, prejudice, poverty, and disparity.

Ms. Liu Ting, Deputy Director, International Cooperation Department at All-China Federation of Supply and Marketing Co-operatives (ACFSMC), China; Ms. Madhavi M. Virpradas, Chief Manager, Indian Farmers Fertilisers Cooperative Ltd. (IFFCO), India; and Ms. Madushi Jayamali Kosgoda, Project Officer, National Cooperative Council of Sri Lanka (NCCSL), Sri Lanka were speakers at the webinar.

The speakers highlighted the inclusive role played by digital technology in bringing women from different backgrounds on a common platform, allowing them to participate at par with men. Access to educational opportunities around public health and upskilling were underlined as the most favourable opportunities for women that have opened post COVID-19. The discussions did not cover macro-level changes such as cooperative legislations, new schemes and policies for women but touched upon micro-level advantages that can be leveraged by them for their betterment.

Some of the opportunities for women cooperators that have opened as a result of the pandemic are:

• Skill development through e-education and learning
• Digital inclusion with increased online activities
• Cooperation among women cooperators for exchange of views and practices
• Increased savings on transportation costs and flexible work environment due to work from home
• Local business for indigenous immunity-boosting medicines, home-grown vegetables small-scale handicrafts
• Access to micro-finance for realising business and personal needs

Ms. Arai summed up the discussions and noted that a favourable environment has opened for women cooperators post COVID-19 where they can push for desired changes by being proactive in tapping the micro-level advantages. It is indeed a case of, where there is a will there is a way!