by Judith De Vor
A column about politics, isn’t that boring? Well, maybe… but it is also important. This year is particularly significant because it’s an election year: elections are happening in India, Europe, and the United States. Recently, the elections for a new European Parliament took place, where voters can choose political parties in their own country that form joint groups or factions with parties from other countries.
In preparation for the elections, I read various programs from Dutch parties and the manifesto of the largest European faction. Naturally, I focused on plans for agriculture, horticulture, food systems, food safety, and food security. But I also examined what these programs said about the position of women. Is gender inequality still an issue in Western countries in 2024? Surprisingly, while many programs acknowledge existing gender inequality, they rarely discuss it in the context of agriculture.
In agriculture and rural areas, women often hold a subordinate position compared to men. Women generally have less access to financing, land, and other capital resources. Even outside Europe, men predominantly have access to education while women do the hard labour. I discovered this not only through reading and conversations but also through personal experience.
A few weeks ago, I participated in a multi-day event in Poland organized by the European Union Common Agricultural Policies. With around eighty participants from different EU countries, we discussed the role of women in rural areas and agriculture. It’s crucial to have a seat at the table when discussing farming and women-related topics. At this event, we attended workshops on women’s potential and how it can be better utilized. We shared knowledge about opportunities and challenges for women and visited female farmers to hear their stories about starting and continuing a business from their own strengths and perspectives.
Despite differences in situations between Poland, Italy, and the Netherlands, there are similarities. It’s encouraging to see that society is increasingly recognizing women’s vital role in innovation, addressing pivotal challenges, and driving progress and development. Many beautiful farms, run by women, are bringing about change through innovation, regenerative practices, technology, and diversity in production. There is significant room for female leaders in this field.
However, there are still general challenges that women face, which the EU has addressed in a separate objective in the CAP. These include the need for a long-term vision focused on the social resilience of women in rural areas and more opportunities for women to obtain financing. Member States need to embed these goals in their regulations.
To improve the position of women, several shared outcomes have been discussed:
- Recognizing women’s contributions to farming and business diversification and making them more visible.
- Changing the narratives when we talk about farmers, helping, inspiring, and supporting each other.
- Simplifying administration and legislation for funds.
There is immense potential among women, and it’s a shame if it remains underutilized. Women are often drivers of change and innovation, and this should be highlighted more.
In the coming months, it will become clear which coalition will be formed in Europe, how it will impact agricultural policy, and how the role of women will be viewed. Future elections might also bring shifting insights. While I believe we are on the right path, there’s still work to be done to achieve real equality and a strong position for women in agriculture. It’s essential to harness their potential, inspire each other, and set a good example of how things can or should be done.
This article was published in Women in Ag Magazine 2024-002. Click here to read the magazine (free).
