Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 January 2026
1782. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has any events/initiatives planned to coincide with the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026; if any funding has been allocated for any events/initiatives planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73876/25]
View answerGender equality in agriculture is a priority of mine and features in the new Programme for Government. It is a core element of Ireland’s domestic policy framework, including Food Vision 2030, and is also central to our wider international development work. Women play an essential role in agriculture and agri-business, yet continue to face barriers to land access, finance, training, and decision making.
Gender equality is also a core principle of the European Union and the current Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) 2023- 2027 places particular focus on promoting women’s participation in the development of rural areas, with special attention to farming.
The United Nations declared 2026 the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF 2026), to highlight the essential roles women play across agrifood systems. Women farmers are central to food security, nutrition and economic resilience and IYWF 2026 will raise awareness and promote actions to close the gender gaps and improve women’s livelihoods worldwide.
IYWF 2026 was officially launched on 4 December at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO). Ireland’s co-sponsorship of the launch event, alongside Jordan, reflects our national commitment to advancing gender equality across the agri-food sector and to strengthening the visibility of women’s leadership in food systems.
IYWF 2026 provides an important opportunity to acknowledge women’s contribution, and should be a catalyst for lasting change, highlighting women’s achievements, addressing barriers to participation, and encouraging more women to see themselves as leaders and decision-makers within the sector. My Department is providing funding to FAO projects supporting women in agriculture in Malawi, Zambia, Mexico, Vietnam and Palau, as well as being a core partner in the Commit to Grow Equality Initiative, providing initial funding of €150,000 and a further €50,000 for 2026.
At home, the outcomes and recommendations of the National Dialogue on Women in Agriculture formed the basis for a 12-point National Action Plan, which was launched in 2024 to address issues across areas such as leadership and visibility, education and awareness, financial and legal matters and sustainability. Implementation has progressed well under the stewardship of the Women in Agriculture Working Group and a final report is expected shortly. In addition, Ireland was one of only two Members States to formally include support for women farmers under our CAP Strategic Plan.
My Department is currently finalising its plans for IYWF 2026, including a schedule of events to be held over the course of this year, which will be funded from existing budget allocations. More information on these events will be available shortly on the [Women in Agriculture] page of my Department’s website.
