IFA Mark International Women’s Day 2024

Marking International Women’s Day 2024, IFA Farm Family & Social Affairs Chair Teresa Roche said that she wants to acknowledge the important contribution of women in agriculture.

“Despite the important role they play, women farmers contribution has traditionally been understated,” Teresa Roche said.

“Today, on International Women’s Day I want to fully recognise their contribution both on the farm but also within their rural communities,” she said.

International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

“It is so important for the future sustainability of farming and the wider agri-food sector that more women are empowered and supported to get involved in the sector. Rural women are an underutilised resource, and we need to introduce additional supports to encourage more women farmers to get involved,” she said.

“There are a number of social and cultural barriers to women’s participation in agriculture that need to be addressed in order to effect change. We need to increase women’s visibility within the sector, to show younger women that there is a career for them in farming,” Teresa Roche concluded.