Approaches to Implementing Equality Commitments

A report published today outlines the main findings from research carried out to explore effective ways of bringing about greater gender equality within Scottish agricultural businesses.

The authors; Professor Patricia Findlay, Dr Eli Dutton, Dr Nicola Murray and Ms Jo McQuarrie of the Scottish Centre for Employment Research Strathclyde Business School undertook research which involved an evidence review and six case studies to explore effective ways of bringing about greater gender equality within Scottish agricultural businesses and organisations with paid employees.

This research was commissioned by the Scottish Government to explore how best to bring about greater gender equality within Scottish agriculture and aimed to gather evidence on specific gender equality actions within industries that are comparable to agriculture.

The key objective of this research was to analyse the success and impact of gender equality initiatives elsewhere and identify any implications for Scottish agricultural industry organisations and individual businesses.

The research highlights a range of options open to agricultural businesses and organisations to improve gender equality.

Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said: “I welcome the publication of this report.

“Women have always played a vital role in delivering a successful agriculture sector.

“Their role in agricultural businesses of all sizes is increasingly important, especially as farming businesses continue to diversify and meet the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss.

“However it is clear that there remains a lot of work to be done and this report outlines effective ways of bringing about greater gender equality within Scottish agricultural businesses and organisations with paid employees.

“I would encourage agricultural business to draw on the examples in this report and play their role in bringing about gender parity in the workplace.”

You can read or download the full report here

Photo credit: Photographer - Matt Cartney. Crown Copyright