Report on Gender Inequality in Agriculture and Rural Policies: Insights from the GRASS CEILING Project

Introduction

Agriculture remains the sector with the highest levels of gender inequality globally, including in Europe. Despite progress in gender equality, persistent disparities exist, particularly in land ownership and management. Women rarely inherit land due to enduring patrilineal land transfer patterns. Although the European Union (EU) reports that approximately 30% of farm owners are women, this figure is misleading as it varies significantly across countries and often includes subsistence farming rather than commercial enterprises.

Gender Disparities in Farm Ownership and Management

• Countries like the Netherlands, Malta, Denmark, and Germany have only 5% to 10% registered women farmholders, a figure unchanged for decades.
• New EU Member States such as Romania, Latvia, and Lithuania report 35% to 45% women farmholders, mostly managing subsistence plots.
• Farm ownership statistics do not accurately reflect women’s participation in farm work and management, often shared with spouses.
• For example, one-third of Dutch farms are co-managed by women, though co-ownership is less common.
• Farming unions and agricultural policies at national and European levels are predominantly male-oriented, reflecting unconscious biases.

The GRASS CEILING Project: Addressing Gender Inequality in Agriculture

Project Overview

The GRASS CEILING project unites 25 partners across Europe to investigate gender inequality in agricultural and rural policies, emphasizing socio-ecological transitions aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

Methodology

1. Quantitative analysis of existing agricultural data.
2. Assessment of socio-political contexts impacting gender norms.
3. Evaluation of legal frameworks governing land transfer.
4. Analysis of European and national agricultural policies.

Living Labs for Rural Women Innovators

Central to the project are nine living labs established in Ireland, Croatia, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Scotland, Spain, and Sweden. These labs:

• Train 6 to 8 women innovators each.
• Create network-learning and innovation systems to support women’s innovative identities.
• Transform gender norms and stereotypes through shared policy and practical experiences.
• Are co-led with local stakeholder organizations, including women’s farming groups and chambers of commerce.
• Enhance the effectiveness of stakeholder organizations in advocating for women innovators at national levels.

Findings: Gender Inequality in Agricultural and Rural Policies

Policy Analysis and Unconscious Bias

Benchmarking major agricultural policies against the EU Gender Equality Strategy revealed persistent unconscious biases, including gendered language in policy documents (e.g., referring to farmers as “his”). The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is recognized as unequal, disproportionately impacting smaller farms, poorer regions, and environmental sustainability, with little consideration of gender disparities.

Key Inequalities Identified

• Average landholding size: Women hold 6.4 hectares versus 14.4 hectares for men.
• Average earnings: Women earn €12,000 compared to €40,000 for men.
• CAP payments exclude very small holdings (below 7 hectares), rendering most women’s farms ineligible.
• National CAP plans inadequately address gender equality; inclusion is voluntary with no enforcement mechanisms.
• Examples from Ireland show gender-blind measures despite targeted schemes favoring women under restrictive conditions.

Women’s Socio-Ecological Contributions

Sustainable Agricultural Practices

Women are key drivers of sustainable and innovative farming practices, contributing to SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land). Examples include:

• Advocating for reduced fertilizer use.
• Transitioning family farms to organic agriculture.
• Developing value-added farm enterprises utilizing by-products, such as goat hair products in Scotland and dairy products in Ireland.

Challenges Faced by Women Innovators

• Lack of recognition and seriousness from peers and institutions.
• Limited access to networks and financial resources, especially microfinance.

Social Enterprises in Remote Rural Areas

Women in remote regions contribute to community sustainability by establishing voluntary social enterprises, supporting SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). For instance, in Scotland’s Highlands and Islands, women provide essential services such as elder meals, cafes, and childcare, filling gaps left by the private sector.

Recommendations and Future Directions

Policy Commitments

Addressing gender inequality in agriculture requires strong policy commitments at both EU and Member State levels, paralleling efforts in STEM fields. This aligns with SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Recognition and Support for Women’s Roles

• Recognize and reward women’s contributions to sustainable agricultural practices and rural community maintenance.
• Incorporate gender-sensitive measures in agricultural policies and funding programs.
• Enhance support for women innovators through networks, training, and access to finance.

Conclusion

Advancing gender equality in agriculture is essential not only for fairness but also for achieving broader sustainable development objectives. Women’s active participation and leadership in socio-ecological transitions strengthen rural economies and communities, contributing significantly to the Sustainable Development Goals.

Reference

1. Shortall, S. and Marangudakis, V., (2022). Is agriculture an occupation or a sector? Gender inequalities in a European context. Sociologia Ruralis, 62(4), pp.746-762.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Targets, and Indicators in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality – The article focuses extensively on gender inequality in agriculture, highlighting disparities in land ownership, farm management, earnings, and policy representation.
2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger – Sustainable agricultural practices and rural enterprises discussed in the article relate to food security and sustainable agriculture.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – The article addresses inequalities in access to resources, subsidies, and decision-making in rural and agricultural contexts.
4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Women’s socio-ecological practices promoting sustainable farming and reducing waste are linked to sustainable consumption and production.
5. SDG 15: Life on Land – Sustainable agricultural practices and environmental sustainability mentioned relate to the protection and restoration of terrestrial ecosystems.
6. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The article discusses women’s earnings, access to finance, and rural enterprises contributing to economic growth.
7. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – Women’s voluntary social enterprises supporting rural community infrastructure relate to sustainable and resilient communities.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 5: Gender Equality
  • Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.
  • Target 5.a: Undertake reforms to give women equal rights to economic resources, including land ownership and control.
  • Target 5.b: Enhance the use of enabling technology to promote women’s empowerment.
• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
  • Target 2.4: Ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
  • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of gender.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
  • Target 12.5: Substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.
• SDG 15: Life on Land
  • Target 15.3: Combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by drought.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
  • Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • Target 11.3: Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Proportion of women farmholders and farm managers – The article mentions statistics such as the percentage of women owning or managing farms (e.g., 30% overall, 5-10% in some countries, 35-45% in others), which can be used as an indicator for Target 5.a.
2. Average size of land holdings by gender – Women’s holdings average 6.4 hectares compared to 14.4 hectares for men, indicating inequality in land access.
3. Income disparities between women and men in agriculture – Women’s earnings (12,000) compared to men’s (40,000) highlight economic inequality.
4. Access to agricultural subsidies – Eligibility for CAP payments based on land size and registration, affecting women’s access to financial support.
5. Participation of women in agricultural unions and policy-making bodies – The article notes male dominance in farming unions and policy forums, implying a lack of women’s representation.
6. Number and impact of women-led socio-ecological innovations – Living labs supporting women innovators and their sustainable practices can be measured to assess progress.
7. Presence and effectiveness of gender equality measures in national CAP plans – Inclusion or exclusion of gender equality in national plans and related sanctions or incentives.
8. Women’s contribution to rural social enterprises and community services – Activities such as elder meals, childcare, and local enterprises in remote areas can be indicators of women’s socio-economic roles.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: openaccessgovernment.org