New Zealand Marks IYWF 2026, Challenging Gender Roles in Farming

• New Zealand celebrates the United Nations’ International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026 (IYWF 2026)
• Women in Horticulture New Zealand (WiH) showcases women’s influence in determining the agrifood system

As New Zealand celebrates the United Nations’ International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026 (IYWF 2026), industry leaders are dispelling the myth that women are only supporting farmers, not leading them.

Women in Horticulture New Zealand (WiH) stresses that women are already integral to the country’s agrifood system, including as growers, orchard managers, exporters, researchers, traders, and business owners.

The IYWF 2026, initiated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), seeks to increase international awareness of the essential role that women farmers play and to promote more investment in their empowerment through research, capacity development, innovation, and partnership building.

According to Stephanie Wrathall of WiH, "The idea that women have only supporting roles in farming is old-fashioned and simply not true." She further said, "Women are running businesses and making key decisions in the agrifood sector, not only on farms but in the horticultural industry as well."

Women are important to leadership in areas such as food, security, climate change, and economic development; furthermore, women in leadership positions will assist the sector to address challenges that include environmental concerns, labor issues, and global marketplace issues.

"If we want resilient, visionary food systems, we need to recognize the leadership role of women," states Stephanie.

Moreover, WiH highlights that the conventional definition of farming does not cover the parts of the value chain where women are in charge or predominant, including horticulture, post-harvest, biosecurity, science, export, marketing, trade, workforce development, and governance.

Structural issues such as lack of ownership, capital, credit, governance, and specific training have contributed to these perceptions.

According to Stephanie, these issues have made women less visible, making it hard to shatter the cycle of women being perceived as supporters rather than leaders in farming.

The IYWF 2026 will address awareness, gender gaps, and the improvement of women’s livelihoods around the world. Stephanie stated, "This is why IYWF 2026 matters – it’s about recognizing the leadership women currently hold and supporting the development of future leaders to build upon and scale the leadership that already exists."