Agro girls need extra variety, fairness and inclusion

Women working in the agribusiness sector want more protagonism

A survey presented on Thursday (27), at the end of the 7th CNMA (National Congress of Women in Agro), an event that brought together 2,500 women in São Paulo (SP) for two days, showed that they want a more equitable, diverse and inclusive.

For the second year running, Deloitte heard from women who work in companies in the sector of strategic importance to the country, accounting for 27% of GDP (Gross Domestic Product). But the data confirm that they, in the countryside, are not in a privileged oasis. Career and management challenges have many connections with most sectors of the country’s economy.

The survey, which heard 400 women, covers agriculture, livestock and related services (the forestry, fisheries and aquaculture sectors were not detected). Although women have more schooling than men, they point out that their intellectual capacity is questioned at work. The rate was 41%, rising to 75% among women aged 18 to 30. From that age, 37% of them report this type of questioning.

The education index, which shows the sector’s professionalization, reinforces the prejudice in relation to opportunities for the top of the career, even though they are more educated. In agriculture and related services, 9% of employed women have a higher education degree, compared to 3% of men, according to data from Caged (General Registry of Employed and Unemployed). In the general labor market, the percentage is 30% for women and 16% for men.

“I want to see this data as an opportunity. There is a lot of opportunity for women in agriculture because of the qualifications”, says Carolina Verginelli, partner at Deloitte consultancy and one of the research coordinators. “A lot of technology has been shipped in the field, in companies, in industries and, obviously, more qualified people have a greater chance of placement”.

But the lack of examples of female leadership can discourage women from seeking management positions in agribusiness companies and entities. For the women interviewed, the reasons that lead to not believing are related to:

• 62% = low number of women in leadership positions
• 57% = lack of policies and processes that encourage female inclusion
• 35% = women do not feel heard at association meetings
• 28% = low interest of the female public in applying for such positions
• 14% = events and fairs are more male-focused
• 9% = lack of alignment with the association’s guidelines.

Regarding gender issues, when asked where the biggest challenges and prejudices are, 48% of them answered that they focus on managers and leaders, and for 38% they are on their male co-workers. Customers were cited by 26% of them, subordinates by 21% and 17% as female co-workers.

For José Luiz Tejon, content coordinator for the women’s congress, broad themes that come out of the universe of those who are at the forefront of transformations are important drivers. “Here, we are in a bubble of empowered women,” he said in the research presentation. “We will have to look outside, to move forward”.

Source: Forbes