A Research Project Examining Gender Equality in Agriculture Seeks Your Views. The HER-SELF project will map the visibility, equality, status and experiences of women in Irish agriculture.
As part of its efforts to prioritise gender equality and inclusivity in Irish agriculture the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM) has funded a one-year project to map the position of women in the sector. The research team are now looking for anyone with an interest in advancing gender equality in agriculture, to sign up to receive updates on the project, and avail of opportunities to get involved. Anyone who lives, works or participates on a farm in Ireland is most welcome.
To sign up, scan the QR Code below.
Highlighting pathways to Empower Rural women to have Sustainable & Equitable Livelihoods in Farming (HER-SELF)
The research team will review existing data on the roles and experiences of women in agriculture in Ireland. They will assess if particular issues related to gender inequality are more prevalent with regard to some regions or farm types. They will also be interviewing and conducting focus groups with specific groups in Irish agriculture in order to gain a more nuanced understanding of their experiences in the sector.
This research builds on the work of the Women in Agriculture Stakeholders Group (WASG) who have long called for culture change in agriculture. At the recent Women in Agriculture conference WASG spokesperson Vanessa Kiely O’Connor said “To date there has been very little research done in the agricultural sector of women engaged in farming. The WASG views the DAFM’s funding for the HER-SELF Research Project as a commitment by the state to work towards creating policies that address the visibility, equality and status of women of all ages. We are looking forward to supporting the HER-SELF team with their research.”
The findings of HER-SELF will provide an evidence base for future policy interventions to enhance gender equality in the sector. The project team comprises researchers from Munster Technological University (Dr Mary Anne Hurley, Alice Hand), Maynooth University (Dr Martina Roche, Dr Nóirín MacNamara) and Teagasc (Dr Áine Macken-Walsh)
Photo source: Women in Agriculture Conference, left to right, Gillian Westbrook, Dr Martina Roche, Dr MaryAnne Hurley, Mona O’Donoghue Concannon, Vanessa Kiely O’Connor
