The ICA-AP Women’s Committee held its inaugural “Training of Trainers (ToT) on Climate Change and Action for Women Cooperators” from October 21 to 24, marking a significant step in empowering women-led cooperative climate initiatives.
Hosted by the Department of Agricultural Marketing and Cooperatives (DAMC) under Bhutan’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MoAL), the program was conducted in partnership with the National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO) from the Philippines.
With support from the Japanese Consumer Co-operatives’ Union (JCCU), the Women’s Committee launched this ToT initiative in 2022 to bolster women’s leadership in climate action across Asia-Pacific cooperatives.
Following a pilot phase in Vietnam in 2023, Bhutan was chosen for this year’s training due to its commitment to environmental sustainability amid growing climate challenges, such as erratic rainfall and extreme temperatures.
Twenty-five women from government, cooperative, and private sectors participated, led by NATCCO’s Daisybelle M Cabal, Chief Operating Officer, and Lasalette M Gumban, Head of Advocacy.
The training centered on linking cooperative actions to climate resilience, with a focus on agricultural and rural sectors, which are highly vulnerable to climate impacts.
Participants engaged in sessions covering sustainable agriculture, resource management, and conservation strategies, as well as leadership skills essential for environmental advocacy. They were also guided in creating action plans tailored to their regions’ unique climate challenges, utilizing cooperative structures as platforms for change.
Interactive discussions highlighted Bhutan’s community-level eco-friendly practices, such as waste segregation, plastic avoidance, and river conservation. These examples will serve as models in upcoming ToT sessions.
During the closing ceremony, MoAL Secretary Dasho Thinley Namgyel commended the ICA-AP Women’s Committee for selecting Bhutan as the venue and emphasized the value of women’s education in fostering national progress.
ICA-AP Regional Director Balu Iyer expressed gratitude to DAMC and NATCCO, recognizing the trainees’ active participation. The ceremony concluded with the presentation of certificates, as attendees committed to implementing climate-responsive actions within their cooperatives.
The ToT program marks an important step in building climate resilience through cooperative action, equipping women leaders with the tools and knowledge to drive sustainable change across their communities.