Bridging the gap with rural New Zealand
OPINION: One thing I keep hearing from rural New Zealanders is the importance of relationships. Strong relationships don’t just happen - they take trust, consistency, and time.
"By measuring progress and highlighting the work still to be done, we can ensure that we keep moving forward in addressing inequities faced by girls and women around the world,” says RWNZ president Gill Naylor.
She says the primary industry has typically been seen as a man’s world where women remain hidden as an invisible partner or in a support role where they are perceived as providing less value.
However, there is light at the end of the tunnel, she says.
“There are increasing numbers of women represented at all levels of primary industry whether running farming businesses, heading up industry organisations or taking on governance roles but we still have some way to go to ensure we are not restricting the talent pool and putting unnecessary barriers in the way,” Naylor says.
“We also need to keep reminding ourselves and our communities of the valuable work that women do and the contributions they make to a healthy and thriving society.”
She suggests there are a number of ways New Zealanders can show their commitment to gender equity.
Naylor says one way is for employers to get behind the “Mind the Gap” which seeks to end the gender pay gap in New Zealand.
“We can support the recognition of the vital work done by those in female dominated professions, such as nursing, midwifery and healthcare, and the value of their contribution.”
Naylor says RWNZ will continue to promote women’s voices and the need to apply a gendered lens to policies both in New Zealand and across the globe.
