08 March 2024
Action Plan arising from the National Dialogue on Women in Agriculture
Today, March 8th, is International Women’s day. In a recent press release from From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine the National Women in Agriculture Action Plan was announced.
In a stride toward gender equality in agriculture, Ireland’s Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D., alongside Ministers of State Senator Pippa Hackett and Martin Heydon T.D., unveiled the National Women in Agriculture Action Plan. This initiative emerges from the National Dialogue on Women in Agriculture, which examined the state of gender equity within farming and the agri-food sector. The dialogue aimed to enhance the visibility and status of women in agriculture, resulting in a report with actionable recommendations.
The report’s findings, shaped by the insights and experiences shared during workshops, were distilled into a 12-point Action Plan by a dedicated working group. This group, comprised of representatives from various sectors within agriculture, will also oversee the implementation of these recommendations.
Minister McConalogue stated his commitment to fostering gender balance across the agri-food sector. His department has already made strides in this direction, through initiatives such as introducing a new Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) rate for women farmers and moving towards achieving a 40% female representation on State Boards.
Minister Hackett, a farmer herself, highlighted the role of women in driving innovation within the sector. She called upon not just women but also men within the farming community to engage with the Action Plan and contribute to its success. She highlighted the government’s dedication to advancing female leadership in agriculture, a field where women have historically been underrepresented.
Former Minister for Agriculture Mary Coughlan, who chaired the National Dialogue, expressed her anticipation for the Action Plan’s implementation. She looks forward to seeing measures that will elevate the visibility and equity of women in the farming and agri-food industry.
The Action Plan proposes a variety of measures, including hosting webinars and events to foster female participation, increasing agriculture’s appeal as a career choice for women and girls, and promoting inclusive language and imagery. It also suggests policy reviews to facilitate female succession, taxation reforms, and the establishment of awards to recognize women’s contributions to the sector.
The Action Plan and Report from which it was compiled can be accessed here