Agriculture remains one of the most gender-unequal professions globally, and despite progress in gender equality across Europe, persistent patterns of inequality remain deeply rooted. Women are significantly less likely to inherit land due to long-standing patrilineal inheritance systems. While the European Union claims that around 30% of farmholders are women, this figure masks stark regional disparities. In Western European countries like the Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany, the percentage of women farmholders remains between 5% and 10%, a rate that has barely changed in decades. Higher percentages in countries like Romania and Latvia reflect the prevalence of small subsistence plots rather than commercial agricultural ventures.
Ownership statistics also fail to capture the reality of women’s work in agriculture. Many women are actively involved in farm operations, often co-managing with their spouses, yet they are not legally recognized as co-owners. Farm unions and policy-making bodies continue to be male-dominated, and many agricultural policies carry unconscious gender biases.
A major effort to address these issues is being led by a Europe-wide initiative that includes research, policy analysis, and hands-on innovation support. One of the most impactful elements of this initiative is the creation of “living labs” in nine European countries. These labs train and support rural women innovators, offering platforms for skills development, peer learning, and local influence. Unexpectedly, they have also strengthened the capacity of partnering stakeholder organizations to advocate for women more effectively at the national level.
A key finding is that agricultural and rural policies rarely incorporate gender perspectives. Major policies such as the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) disproportionately favor male farmers. For example, CAP subsidies often exclude holdings smaller than 7 hectares farms typically operated by women. While some national plans include gender-related incentives, they are often ineffective due to eligibility rules that exclude many women.
Women tend to adopt more sustainable farming practices and develop innovative income-generating enterprises. From organic conversion to crafting goods from farm by-products, their contributions are both ecological and economic. Many also play vital roles in supporting their rural communities, providing essential services in areas the private sector overlooks.
To truly advance equality, gender in agriculture must be treated as seriously as gender imbalances in STEM. This requires strong policy action and investment. Recognizing and supporting women’s work is not only a matter of justice but a key to building sustainable, thriving rural regions.
