Women in agriculture: advocates for a gendered sustainable agriculture
Women in agriculture: advocates for a gendered sustainable agriculture Journal Article
Australian Geographer
Abstract: A gendered consideration of rural geography has been barely discernible within Australian and New Zealand literature. The notable exceptions in this case have illustrated the complexity and merit of studying the gender patterns and relations of rural life. Outside geography, there is an expanding literature on rural women in Australia. These works parallel significant developments in the lives and politics of rural and agricultural women themselves. This paper reports selected findings from a study of the women in agriculture movement in Australia. As such, it illustrates the increased awareness of the gendered conditions of farming. The women in agriculture movement works to increase the recognition of women's contribution to agriculture. In doing so it affirms the legitimacy of women farmers' voices and perspectives. There will be no sustainable rural systems while half the rural population is unseen or unheard. Women in agriculture demonstrate a social dimension of sustainability. They highlight the need to integrate gender equity and a 'wider-than-economic' conceptualisation of sustainable agriculture. Their actions can stimulate rural geographers to further consider the social and political aspects of rural sustainability beyond the conventional farm/industry and community service sites we usually consider.
Notes: This paper is a study of the women in agriculture movement in Australia two decades ago. It illustrates the increased awareness of the gendered conditions of farming and the demand for recognition of women's contribution to agriculture. It affirms the legitimacy of women farmers' voices and perspectives. "There will be no sustainable rural systems while half the rural population is unseen or unheard". Women in agriculture highlight the need to integrate gender equity and a 'wider than economic' conceptualisation of sustainable agriculture.
- Urls: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00049189508703140 , http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00049189508703140
- Keywords: women in agriculture, gender, sustainable agriculture, farm women