Marking International Women’s Day 2023, Alice Doyle, IFA National Farm Family & Social Affairs Chair said that she wants to acknowledge the important contribution of women in agriculture.
“Despite the important role they play, women farmers contribution has traditionally been understated,” Alice Doyle said.
“Today, on International Women’s Day I want to fully recognise their contribution both on the farm but also within their rural communities,” she said.
International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
Alice Doyle said that women farmers are incredible catalysts for social and economic change, engaging in innovative practices and adding value through diversification on family farms.
“It is so important for the future sustainability of farming and the wider agri-food sector that more women are empowered and supported to get involved in the sector. Rural women are an underutilised resource, and we need to introduce additional supports to encourage more women farmers to get involved,” she said.
The IFA National Farm Family & Social Affairs Chair said supporting women farmers requires several types of support, and not only economic, as obstacles to gender equality persist in the sector. “There are a number of social and cultural barriers to women’s participation in agriculture that need to be addressed in order to effect change. We need to increase women’s visibility within the sector, to show younger women that there is a career for them in farming,” Alice Doyle concluded.
