FARMERS should be enormously proud of the sector’s current economic strength. Ag is flying high, and, on the back of ABARES this week, it is fantastic to see the contribution from producers, particularly over the past year, fill column inches in the metro papers and the bush.
But there’s another area where ag needs to lift its game.
Imagine finding out you’re earning 20 per cent less than colleagues doing a similar job.
Imagine being denied a chance to learn new skills, based on a surface perception of your ability, or because your boss gave someone like you a chance once “and it didn’t work out.”
Imagine seeing that only one in seven people of your sex has risen to a position of influence in your industry.
This is the reality for women in agriculture in 2017.
Federal Government’s latest Gender Equity Insights report should make uncomfortable reading for a sector that is economically and socially crucial to the nation’s fabric.
Despite women accounting for 40pc of Australia’s farmers, as well as 48pc of real farm income, full-time female employees in agriculture, forestry and fishing are paid, on average, 20pc less than men.
Discrimination is evident not only in wages, but opportunities, with only 14pc of leadership positions in ag occupied by women.
The Land has heard various accounts recently from female farmers who say they feel unwelcome in the paddock, let alone the boardroom, and that they cop backwards attitudes even if they do get a gig.
"But leadership should be merit based!"
Well, statistics show many women clearly don’t get a chance to start or develop their skills, let alone be considered for top roles. How can you acquire “merit” when the starting line continues to sit so far back?
No doubt many organisations are making strides towards equality. But in the week of International Women’s Day, we ask farm businesses, ag departments, lobby groups, and political parties to act on three basic points:
One, whether your organisation is providing adequate job and training opportunities to women – including leadership positions. Two, whether women in your organisation are being paid equally to their male co-workers.
And three, that gender equality in ag be a year-round focus, not just for a day.
