The conference "Farmers, entrepreneurs, innovation leaders" was opened by Etienne de Poncins, French Ambassador to Poland, who emphasized that the event combines two priorities of the embassy's activities: promoting women and their rights (feminist diplomacy) and cooperation in the agricultural sector. Regarding the second aspect, the ambassador admitted that since the government of Donald Tusk came to power in Poland, economic contacts between Poland and France have intensified in a positive sense, and what is more, it is planned to sign a new document on cooperation in the near future. Polish-French, already called the Treaty of Nancy, which will also include provisions on cooperation in the agricultural sector.
photo: Embassy of France in Poland
The topic of women's diplomacy was developed by Lucie Stepanyan, First Counselor of the French Embassy. France adopted a strategy for feminist diplomacy in 2019, but, as Stepanyan admitted, many countries in the world have already engaged in feminist diplomacy, such as Sweden, Canada, Mexico, Spain, Cyprus, Luxembourg, the USA, Great Britain, the Netherlands and Belgium. The goal, as you can easily guess: activities for gender equality, including: by promoting a culture of equal rights in all aspects, including economic (equal pay), defending women's rights, combating violence against women, women's health, promoting a balance between work and free time, projects helping women's development, i.e. improving their competences – on various administrative, diplomatic and political levels. – Feminist diplomacy is our everyday state of mind at the embassy. We really want to be able to share our experiences in this field with our friends in Poland, emphasized the counselor of the French Embassy.
Women in the world of agriculture
Gabrielle Dufour, vice-president of the "Farmers Have Heart" association and administrator of Vox Demeter (a platform supporting gender equality in the world of agriculture, the voice of women farmers in France), talked about the role women play in the rapidly changing world of agriculture. As she noted, the number one challenge in agriculture is ensuring food security, meanwhile in France there are fewer and fewer farmers, fewer and fewer people involved in agricultural enterprises, and this trend is also similar in Poland. Climate changes are taking place, which determines changes in agriculture and the way of working on land. There are social problems, and the geopolitical situation adds to that. All these problems fall on people, and there are fewer and fewer of them in agriculture.
According to Dufour, in France, 27% of heads of agricultural enterprises are women. But this number has not changed for about 12 years, meanwhile – as the speaker said – we need more women not only in such positions, but also as farm managers. – In both France and Poland, one in three farmers is a woman. But they are mainly struggling with the problem of generational replacement, admitted Dufour.
Photo Embassy of France in Poland
Women are more numerous in the distribution of agri-food products and short supply chains. In Dufour's opinion, women farmers introduce innovations on farms more often than men because they are more open to changes, to modern solutions and cope better in difficult situations. Unfortunately, both in Poland and France, they have worse access to assets. They run smaller farms. But this makes them more creative: they diversify their activities and create added value, e.g. by transforming the farm type into parts. Women also have unusual career paths. They start working in the non-agricultural sector, but then often transfer their experience in HR, marketing, management, etc. to work in the agricultural sector, which becomes their advantage. Farm managers must be familiar with the above-mentioned areas.
Women – taking care of the family and working professionally – are also better organized. This is another advantage when it comes to working in a managerial position.
How to unleash women's potential?
According to Gabrielle Dufour, everything must be done to release the currently closed female potential. First of all, we need to start appreciating women today. In France, it was only at the end of the 1990s that the status of a farmer's spouse was created, which provided social security for women. And even though in the following years further social "rights" were granted to women farmers, today, as Dufour said, approximately 100,000 women in rural areas have no legal status. According to her, there is a similar situation in Poland and it needs to be regulated urgently.
Another problem is the so-called a glass ceiling in various companies and agricultural organizations, which contributes to women not being promoted to higher positions because they have been "filled" by men for a long time. It is definitely more difficult for women to get a loan, and unequal pay in the agricultural world is another controversial issue. Gender stereotypes also limit women's potential. Transferring farms within the family – a male heir is still more valued. Secondary schools or agricultural technical schools – parents usually do not send their daughters to these schools. There is a lack of belief that a woman can be a manager of a farm or agricultural enterprise.
There are, of course, women who are able to oppose all the above-mentioned barriers. The only question is how much strength they will have to not give up. Therefore, as Dufour noted, we need primarily systemic changes, but programs such as mentoring, entrepreneurship training, leadership training, etc.
The following speakers at the meeting spoke about systemic solutions to the equality policy in France and activities to promote agricultural professions among women: Francois Viel, Agricultural Counselor of the French Embassy, and Franck Feuillatre-Dger from the French Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty. These include the emphasis on parity in agriculture and the agri-food sector, the implementation of new work opportunities, such as remote work, telework in situations determined by family circumstances, encouraging paternity leave, actions for equality of women and girls in education (overcoming mental stereotypes learned from home regarding the profession of a farmer), promotion of higher education among female farmers.
Education is the key to improving the situation of women in Poland
– The trend of an increasing number of women managing farms and agri-food enterprises is becoming more and more visible in Poland – said Adam Nowak, Deputy Minister of Agriculture at the meeting. Nevertheless, in his opinion, education is the key to improving the situation of women in Poland as well as supporting innovation in agriculture, because it will certainly help increase the participation of women in this industry.
Photo Embassy of France in Poland
The minister also talked about the new role of Rural Women's Circles in Poland, which the Ministry of Agriculture would see. More on this topic in the article below:
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AGRO activities and programs for women
Later in the meeting organized by the French Embassy in Poland, participants could learn how many activities and programs there are currently aimed at supporting women working in agribusiness, both in France and in Poland (and also outside Europe). The common starting point for these projects is, as it turns out, the often prosaic need to help women in rural areas overcome the lack of self-confidence or lack of confidence in a business idea. These women simply need to be told that what they do or want to do is great. Appreciate them. This motivation often helps you spread your wings, they said.
Photo Embassy of France in Poland
Maria Sikorska, president of this association, talked about the Innovation Leaders initiative, promoting more interesting examples of female entrepreneurship in Poland. The operation of the French HECTAR program – FarmHER program (online) was presented by its manager Pauline Goubault (priority regenerative agriculture, offer of training in basic skills for performing managerial functions in agriculture). Małgorzata Druciarek, Project Manager, spoke about the EIT FOOD program "EWA – Empowering Woman in agri-food sector" I'UE (developing interesting women's startups in agriculture) and was accompanied by Katarzyna Bocheńska-Walentyńska, founder of the Regenario startup and finalist of the "EWA" program. . Małgorzata Bojańczyk, director of the Polish Association of Sustainable Agriculture and Food, spoke about the already well-known Polish Agro Woman program (a mentoring program for improving management competences but also for improving mental well-being). 
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AgroWomen: or about gender equality on farms
Marek Sumyła, Managing Director of Danone and Żywiec Zdrój, as well as Blanche de Talhouet from the AKUO Foundation, who, in connection with its activities in the energy industry (RES), tries to activate women in agriculture in countries around the world, also spoke about initiatives for AGRO women.
photo: Embassy of France in Poland
The debate on women's everyday problems at the farm level was attended by, among others: Mr. and Mrs. Anna and Łukasz Hasse and Beata and Ryszard Krychowiak, as well as Dr. Agnieszka Orzeł, innovator, creator of Polish varieties of raspberries and blackberries. What emerged during the discussion was the observation that a significant limitation for greater entrepreneurship of Polish women farmers is difficult access to nurseries and kindergartens in the countryside. There is also a lack of support for older people in the family. Unfortunately, there are still no systemic solutions in this area.
