The State Government is celebrating the contribution rural and regional women make to the state to mark International Women’s Day.
In South Australia, women make up more than 30% of people working in agricultural, forestry and fishing industries. In the food and beverage manufacturing industry, it's more than 40%.
The Government of South Australia, through the department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA), supports initiatives that acknowledge the essential role women play, and their influence, in rural industries, businesses and communities.
This includes supporting the Women Together Learning (WoTL) Stepping into Leadership program specifically aimed at women in agriculture and agribusiness.
A group of 15 women from diverse South Australian primary industries are currently participating in the program, which provides professional development and builds personal leadership skills for women in agriculture and associated industries.
Participants receive individual coaching and mentoring and take part in workshops and access to webinars. This year's cohort will graduate in October 2023.
More than 120 women have completed the program since it began in 2012.
The Government is also proud to support the AgriFutures Rural Women's Award in South Australia, which acknowledges and supports the essential role women play in rural industries, businesses and communities.
The 2023 finalists are five women from all over South Australia, representing a cross-section of regional industries. The South Australian winner will be announced in May 2023 and will be awarded a $15,000 Westpac grant. They will then represent South Australia at the national Agrifutures Rural Women’s Award event in Canberra later this year.
These initiatives support the Government of South Australia's key gender equality drivers of Economic Wellbeing and Leadership and Participation.