Ottawa, ON - As part of its three-year research project, Supporting the Advancement of Women in Agriculture, the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC) is conducting a survey to examine possible barriers to women advancing to leadership roles in agriculture.
"We have to fully understand the situation before we can take steps towards improving women’s access to leadership and business opportunities in agriculture," explains Portia MacDonald-Dewhirst, Executive Director of CAHRC.
Both women and men are invited to complete the 15-minute survey available at https://www.cahrc-ccrha.ca/Supportingwomeninagriculture , which will be open until November 30th.
"We are equally interested in hearing from men in agriculture in this survey as they are the other side of the equation," says MacDonald-Dewhirst. "The understanding must be mutual before we can develop effective solutions."
The project involves a comprehensive assessment of the current situation facing women aspiring to senior management and executive positions in agriculture by collaborating with project partner organizations and others within the CAHRC network. Using a gender lens, the assessment will explore the contribution of women to the industry, the barriers they experience, prioritize options for improvements, and assess the effectiveness of current services.
The information garnered will inform the development of programs and resources to assist women in agriculture as well as agricultural employers, organizations and training institutions to strengthen access to leadership opportunities and business success for women working in agriculture.
The project is being conducted as a partnership-based initiative with extensive support and contributions from national and regional agricultural associations, training and education providers, and women’s groups, along with Status of Women in Canada. The work will also involve gathering input and feedback directly from women working in agriculture, and the support of an Advisory Group of women in agriculture representing all aspects of the sector to oversee the project activities and ensure meaningful results.
For more information contact CAHRC at www.cahrc-ccrha.ca.
For more information
The Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council works with industry leaders, governments and educational stakeholders to research, develop and communicate solutions to the challenges in employment and skills development in primary agriculture. The Council now leads collaborative implementation efforts in support of the national Workforce Action Plan for the agriculture and agri-food sector. For more information visit www.cahrc-ccrha.ca.
Debra Hauer
SAWA Project Manager, CAHRC
T: 613-745-7457 x 227
E: Hauer@cahrc.ccrha.ca
Jennifer Wright
HR Program Advisor, CAHRC
T: 613-875-7297
E: jen.wright@cahrc-ccrha.ca
Portia MacDonald-Dewhirst
Executive Director, CAHRC
T: 613-745-7457 ext. 222
E: macdonald-dewhirst@cahrc-ccrha.ca
Theresa Whalen
Communications & Marketing Specialist, CAHRC
T: 613-745-7457 ext. 223
C: 613-325-7321
E: twhalen@cahrc-ccrha.ca