Commonly in history women have been seen as weaker than men, as the ones who should raise children, cook, clean and be completely submissive to their husband. Despite this many women have risen above these beliefs and become greater than the men around them. From Queens to female Pirates and Soldiers, women have proven themselves to be able to rise above any problem, they’ve helped change the face of history and it’s evidential, especially in today’s society.

During the Second World War women were given the ability to work in both factories and on farms, having to take the place of men who were fighting in the Pacific. They proved themselves more than useful throughout this time and continued to be effective after the war was over. By the end of the twentieth century women were fighting for equal rights. Nowadays women are able to follow any career they wish, including ones that were traditionally male dominated – farm life included. Despite the apparently equal roles there are some individuals throughout Australia that believe females are incapable of hard work, though many rural communities are more progressive when it comes to gender equality.

Rural and small communities have progressed well over the years, female farm workers are common, and schools teach children to follow their own paths. Female politicians like Rebecca White, who represents a small town and drives for positive change, show that our country, community and government are changing for the better. Lesser-known role models like Michelle Pears have a mass effect on their small communities, helping bring life and interest to those around them. No matter what their occupation, from a singer songwriter to a politician, “women can be a director of our own company or a shearer, a wool classer, drive a tractor, fence a paddock, there is nothing we can’t do if we put our mind to it.” (Pear, 2021)

There are organisations across the world fighting for women’s rights and shining light on strong rural women who are making changes. There’s a common saying that a woman’s work is never done, and in many places across the globe, Australia included, it’s true. No matter the circumstances, women rise to the occasion, work hard and succeed, showing the Australian spirit, even in other parts of the world we prevail. “In some parts of sub-Saharan Africa, women work over 16 more hours than men each week” (IFDA, 2016).

The world is changing, Australia needs to keep up and “rural women are key agents for development” women need to be given the ability to show their use in our communities across the world, “empowering them is essential…given women’s large presence in the agricultural workforce worldwide.” (unwomen.org, 2021) There are 12.79 million women in our country, all with their own voice, life changing opinions and ideas. Giving them a voice and power to be what they wish, takes us a step closer to global equality. Females are just as capable as men, if not more, but if we don’t empower and encourage rural women, then how are we as a country meant to progress?

References

IFDA. (2016, April 20). Compendium of Rural Women’s Technologies and Innovations. Retrieved July 20, 2021, from ifda.org:
https://www.ifad.org/documents/38714170/40196082/Compendium_Innovations_web.pdf/2ac139d1-5804-4212-bcf6-063587369db4

Pear, M. (2021, June 26). Personal Interview. (S. Hagen, Interviewer)

unwomen.org. (2021, June 28). The role of women in rural development, food production and poverty eradication. Retrieved from unwomen: https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/in-focus/rural-women-day/2013