January 17th, 2023 – Ottawa ON – The Canadian Federation of Agriculture is pleased to announce the launch of the Engaging and Advancing Women in Agriculture (EAWA) project. The project is funded in part by the Government of Canada under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership’s AgriDiversity Program. Further project support is provided by the Chicken Farmers of Canada and the Prince Edward Island Federation of Agriculture (PEIFA).
Despite continued progress, in many respects women are underrepresented in the Canadian agriculture sector and their contributions often go unrecognized. They face both systemic and attitudinal barriers to entering the industry and securing leadership positions. This constrains the sector’s capacity, resiliency, and innovation; creates challenges in attracting and retaining women; and negatively affects the sector’s public image.
This project, led by the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, leverages previous work done by PEIFA and Karolyn Godfrey of Winding Path Inc. with support from the Government of PEI. This earlier work developed, in consultation with a working group of female agricultural leaders, a strategic plan which focused on the implementation of policies and programs to address barriers to women’s full participation in the sector. The EAWA project is taking a systemic approach to pilot implementing this strategic plan in PEI with the aim of facilitating the adoption of similar approaches by other producer associations across Canada.
The project will develop, pilot, and document a framework through which producer associations can systemically address the underrepresentation of women in Canadian agriculture, support women in the sector to develop skills to take on greater leadership roles and raise awareness of the benefits of women’s full participation, barriers women experience, all while addressing those barriers.
“The Canadian Federation of Agriculture is committed to supporting greater diversity in the agricultural sector and we are excited to have the opportunity to lead the Engaging and Advancing Women in Agriculture project, which will both celebrate the women leaders in our sector and help to reduce the systemic barriers women are face in getting involved in the sector. Any person with an interest in a career in agriculture should be welcomed and encouraged to contribute to this industry. It’s time to level the field.”
– Mary Robinson, President, Canadian Federation of Agriculture
“Women have always played an essential role on family farms. Their hard work and determination contribute to the resiliency and success of the sector. Despite their efforts, women still face systemic barriers in the industry. I commend the Canadian Federation of Agriculture for its work to eliminate these barriers, strengthen women’s leadership and support diversity for the future.”
– The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
For more information on the project, please visit https://levelthefieldinag.ca/
Additional Links: Promo Video: https://vimeo.com/787036984
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Government of Canada invests in strengthening diversity in Canadian agriculture
Media Contact
Laurie Karson
Director of Communications & Stakeholder Relations
613-236-3633
laurie@canadian-farmers.ca