Author : Derico, Cosain M.

Summary : The study attempted to identify the tasks and type of roles assumed by the rural Muslim women in the province of Lanao del Sur, the Philippines particularly in farming and fishing. It also determined the ways by which the women learned those tasks they performed and looked into the involvement of rural Muslim women in family decision-making pertaining to household, community, farming, and fishing activities. Finally, it analyzed decision-making and role types in the context of Muslim and Maranao society. Two hundred ninety-four rural Muslims women were randomly selected from 18 barangays in six municipalities of Lanao del Sur, thus constituting the unit of analysis. A structured interview schedule translated to the local dialect was used to gather quantitative data and this was supplemented by key informant interview to gather qualitative data. Frequency counts, percentages, mean, median, ranking, standard deviation, Chi-square, contingenycy coefficient, and Pearson product correlation were employed in data analysis. Findings revealed that rural Muslim women had low education, low membership in community organization, inadequate media exposure, limited contact with change agents, and familistic orientation. However, they aspired for high income and were perceived to assume multiple roles, given the opportunity within their present status in the traditional-bound Maranao society. Apparently, rural Muslim women were actively involved in family decision-making.