Neo-rural woman farmer working on her agroecological initiative. The photo was provided by the woman who consented to using the image.

By B. Vizuete, M. García-Llorente, I. Pérez-Ramírez, and E. Oteros-Rozas.

Read the full paper here.

Gender equity is vital in the transition to farming that ties together environmental and social sustainability (agroecology). Including a gender perspective in agroecology allows people to analyze power relations and reduce gender and other social inequalities to achieve a real agroecological transition. As more women enter farming and adopt agroecology, people often overlook their experiences, challenges and gender relationships on the farm.

We interviewed 15 women who lead agroecological projects in Madrid (Spain) to shed light on this issue and analyze the contribution of these women to achieving gender equity in a highly masculinized sector. Our findings revealed diverse motivations driving these women, including the desire for sustainable environmental management and the personal satisfaction of working closely with nature. However, the path to agroecology is not without obstacles. Women from urban areas moving to rural life (“neo-rural” women) face more challenges than those who already have rural ties (local women). However, all women farmers emphasized the gender-specific barriers they face in their farming activities.

Understanding and addressing these barriers are essential steps to fostering a more inclusive and equitable agricultural sector. By amplifying women’s voices and recognizing their contributions, we can cultivate a more sustainable and just food system. This requires not only breaking down traditional gender stereotypes but also nurturing spaces that welcome diverse perspectives, actors, and values associated with food production and rural areas. Ultimately, promoting gender equity in agroecology is not just about empowering women, but about moving the entire agricultural sector towards more environmentally and human-friendly agri-food systems.