Rural women take leadership in male-dominated industry

More than 150 women farmers have gathered to celebrate the first ever Women in the Rural World Congress, with the aim of making their voices heard in a traditionally masculine industry.   

Drought, climate crisis and water management are the main themes of the congress, as they are affecting the sector in a variety of ways.   

Rosa Domènech, president of the Women in the Rural World Association, says that now is the time for women to step up and take positions of power traditionally held by men.  

"There are still many farms with men at the forefront and women at the back, but the time has come to change, to take a step forward and take responsibility," she said.  

Catalan Minister for Climate Action David Mascort attended the congress and said that investing in the industry’s women will help improve it. The government has spent €900,000 to support 36 rural projects led by women.   

"It is the moment [for women] to step forward and take charge of positions of power, which will improve the agricultural sector. I am sure it is not easy, but they must try," he said. 

The ongoing drought in Catalonia has hit the rural economy the hardest, and farmers have been discussing ways to improve the situation.   

"People accuse the agricultural sector of using more water, but it is not true, there are other sectors that use more water than us," Domènech said.