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the australian farmer
This very spirit should be celebrated on a daily basis by every Australian, acknowledging the con- tributions that rural and regional women make to their communities and across industries, from agri- culture to education, healthcare, and everything in between. The Not For Profits provide an opportunity to showcase the incredible leadership and entre- preneurial spirit of these women who often work quietly behind the scenes, yet whose impact is immeasurable. The importance of offering these women a platform to gain recognition, receive sup- port for their projects and in advocating for their communities, and connect with other like-minded individuals, cannot be over-stated. But beyond that, it’s about women living in rural and regional Australia inspiring future generations of women who will continue the work of trans- forming our rural and regional communities. The power of rural and regional women is real. Recent studies by nationally recognised organisa- tions, such as NSW DPIRD, DAFF, and the Soil CRC, have put the spotlight on trends in women work- ing in the agricultural industry in a series of recent major studies. They found that women represent about 32 per cent of the Australian agricultural workforce but they remain under-represented in leadership roles. Despite the potential positive on-farm impact of women farmer’s knowledges, the research identi- fied barriers to women’s participation in agriculture. Women were found to be excluded from agri- culture in a range of ways, including stereotyped gender roles, and the societal assumption that on family farms a man is the farmer and a woman is the farmer’s wife. DID YOU KNOW Rural and regional women in Austra- lia face distinct challenges, including higher rates of domestic and family violence, poorer health outcomes, and limited access to services com- pared to their urban counterparts. ?
Swapping the cities and coastlines for paddocks and stockyards, a new generation of women is forging careers in agriculture, bringing fresh per- spectives and innovation to the industry and prov- ing that you don’t need to be born into farming to make an impact. From 2016 to 2021, the number of women em- ployed in agriculture grew by 7,105 workers, repre- senting almost two-thirds (66 per cent) of the overall expansion in the agricultural industry. Sheep, beef cattle and grain farming accounted for 42 per cent of women working in the agricultural sector. I believe that when rural and regional women succeed, we all succeed as a nation. It’s not enough to just celebrate the individual achievements of rural and regional women; the Not For Profits are investing in the future of our communities and en- suring that the voices of rural and regional women continue to be heard and valued. As we move forward, let us all continue to stand together in support of rural and regional women, for they are the driving force behind the future of agriculture, innovation, and community growth in outback Australia. Let us take pride in their contributions, celebrate their successes, and continue to empower them to reach new heights.
Tamara Stephensen is State President of Queensland Country Women’s Association (QCWA).
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