The Farm Women’s Bureau wants to ensure women have their say.
Gail Erickson, manager of the bureau at Agriculture Canada in Ottawa, said a list of women, their farm backgrounds and areas of interest was created several years ago to ensure women’s participation on government forums, task forces, discussion groups and committees. But it needs regular updating.
“We could ensure a fair representation of women and that they fully contribute to discussions,” she said.
The list provides easy access to women willing to serve when forums are being created. Erickson hopes that will rub off on farm organizations, increasing the participation of women there also.
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“They need to be at the table and break into the old boys’ club,” she said.
The bureau routinely distributes information and applications about itself at conferences each year, although the list now includes a “puny” 185 names. Erickson wants to see that grow to 250.
All regions of Canada are represented, with a heavy showing from the dairy and cattle sectors.
Erickson said women face numerous barriers to participating, including rural child care, volunteer activities and off-farm work. Most women are not paid for their farm work and their contribution is often not recognized, she said.
The bureau’s push for a directory of women’s names followed federal-provincial agriculture ministers’ meetings in 1994. Women’s participation rate on government groups shot up to 17 percent by 1997 but now has dropped off, Erickson said: “If the aim is 50 percent, we’ve got a long way to go.”
Anyone interested in adding their name to the list may submit a resume or complete forms available from the bureau. For more information, call 800-554-5630.
