Over 60% see women as undervalued in society, poll shows
Across all eight farming regions studied, women’s rights and how women are treated in society is an important issue for the farming community.
The survey found 63% of farmers either agreed or strongly agreed that women were undervalued in Irish society. This rose to 76% among spouses.
Just 9% farmers surveyed strongly disagreed with this with a further 19% slightly disagreeing.
The undervaluing of women was most strongly felt by older farmers. About 73% of farmers over the age of 65 agreed that women were not appreciated enough in society compared to 51% of farmers under 35.
Women were slightly more in agreement with this view at 70% compared to men at 62%.
Despite the high percentage of farmers who feel women are undervalued, there was a considerable regional variation in terms of the numbers who held this view.
For example, Cappamore in Limerick had the highest percentage of farmers who strongly agreed or agreed with the view that women were undervalued — at 88%.
Just 3% of farmers surveyed in the area strongly disagreed with this view — the second lowest of all areas surveyed.
Tinahely in Co Wicklow recorded the second highest percentage of farmers who strongly agreed or agreed that women are undervalued at 70%, with 2% strongly refuting this statement. The Wicklow town was followed by Tullamore Co Offaly (66%), Athenry in Co Galway (61%), and Dungarvan in Co Waterford (53%).
Skibbereen, Co Cork, had the lowest percentage of farmers who strongly agreed that women were undervalued in society. In fact, 30% of farmers surveyed in the area strongly disagreed with the view — by far the highest of the eight regions surveyed.
Director at Behaviour and Attitudes Larry Ryan said farmers had a very progressive view on the role of women in society given the contribution that women and farmer’s wives and partners played in the running of any farm.
“It points out that clearly farmers are not really conservative by definition. They work very long hours. For example, dairy farmers work on average eight hours a day for seven days a week. In many cases, spouses pitch in to keep the farm running and so women are seen as an invaluable in terms of what they do on a farm.”
