51AVÊÓƵ

Women still put off farming by perception it is 'unsuitable'

Women are being put off farming because of a perception that the work is unsuitable for them, according to a new Scottish Government report.

Ewan Pate
clock • 2 min read
Women still put off farming by perception it is 'unsuitable'

Women are being put off farming because of a perception that the work is unsuitable for them, according to a new Scottish Government report.

The document identified social isolation and a lack of work/life balance as two other barriers preventing them from joining the agriculture sector.

The report stems from work carried out by the Women in Agriculture Taskforce which was set up in 2017, and has been complied by the Scottish Centre for Employment Research at Strathclyde Business School.

It explores the success and impact of various initiatives in other industries seen as male-dominated, such as engineering, and examines effective ways of bringing about greater gender equality within Scottish agricultural businesses of all sizes.

Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said: I welcome the publication of this report. Women have always played a vital role in delivering a successful agriculture sector.

Their role in agricultural businesses of all sizes is increasingly important, especially as farming businesses continue to diversify and meet the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss.

However, it is clear that there remains a lot of work to be done and this report outlines effective ways of bringing about greater gender equality within Scottish agricultural businesses and organisations with paid employees.

I would encourage agricultural business to draw on the examples in this report and play their role in bringing about gender parity in the workplace.

Key findings in the report include:

  • Agricultural businesses should improve their knowledge and understanding of equalities issues.
  • Industry-based organisations and the Scottish Government should work together to increase awareness, support and networking in agriculture and help agricultural businesses to access expertise and guidance.
  • Individuals should adopt a view that equality is everyones business and engage with their employers in advancing equality outcomes.
  • Businesses should ensure that gender equality is embedded in the formal and informal values of the business, rather than focusing on standalone initiatives.

The report can be accessed at:

Case 9564wd Tractor pick up hitch.

£±Ê°¿´¡

2023 Case CVX175

£±Ê°¿´¡

John Deere 6130M TLS

£±Ê°¿´¡

More on 51AVÊÓƵLife

Prime location drives success of South Yorkshire family farm

Prime location drives success of South Yorkshire family farm

An affluent urban fringe setting pays dividends for one family farm. Chloe Palmer reports

clock 28 November 2024 • 8 min read
Mindset change needed on regenerative farming

Mindset change needed on regenerative farming

Groundswell co-founder Paul Cherry said: "We are producing the wrong sort of foods, we should be eating more of the food we produce ourselves rather than feeding it to pigs, chickens and cattle"

clock 26 November 2024 • 2 min read
Next Generation Hill Farmers: Welsh farmer takes business forward - "I am as hefted to the farm as my flock is"

Next Generation Hill Farmers: Welsh farmer takes business forward - "I am as hefted to the farm as my flock is"

In the second of a brand-new series, Next Generation Hill Farmers, Emily Ashworth speaks to Welsh farmer Katie Davies about her passion for keeping her family’s legacy alive

clock 22 November 2024 • 5 min read