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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2025-10-15 Daily Xml
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International Day of Rural Women

The Hon. R.B. MARTIN (14:38): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development. Will the minister please speak to the chamber about the International Day of Rural Women?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:38): I thank the honourable member for his question. Today is the International Rural Day of Women, which celebrates the contributions of women in rural and regional communities across the globe. The theme this year is 'Rural Women Rising'. The International Day of Rural Women was first established in 2007 by the United Nations General Assembly to recognise, and I quote:

…the critical role and contribution of rural women, including indigenous women, in enhancing agricultural and rural development, improving food security and eradicating rural poverty.

I often speak in this place about the importance of women living in rural and regional areas. When rural women rise, we all flourish. Championing women, and making every effort to provide opportunities for women in regional areas, is something that I am absolutely passionate about.

One thing I have noticed in my role is the breadth of involvement women have in their regional communities. They are often wearing many, many hats: working on the farm, being the primary caregiver to children, and volunteering in their community. A lot of women also provide some kind of off-farm income, either through their own business or through other employment. Women are at the forefront of implementing sustainable farming practices and climate resilience. They are innovative and progressive, keeping regional communities together and helping to raise the next generation of farmers.

Rural women make up approximately 22 per cent of the world's population, but are more likely to experience poverty and unequal access to education, health and other social services, and employment opportunities. Despite the challenges, women are responsible for half of the world's food production. Investing in rural women rising is part of safeguarding the future of our regions, our state, our nation and the world. Having women in leadership positions in regional communities is imperative in ensuring our regions are innovative and well placed to thrive into the future. In South Australia, women make up 30 per cent of people working in agriculture, forestry and fishing industries. In the food and beverage manufacturing industry, women account for over 40 per cent of the workforce.

Through my department, I support various programs that provide opportunities for regional women. One such program is the AgriFutures Rural Women's Award, which is now open for applications. The award celebrates women living in regional areas with an existing project, business or program that is creating impact, making a difference or contributing to enhancing the prosperity of rural and emerging industries, and rural, regional and remote businesses and communities. The South Australian component of this national award has been delivered by PIRSA for more than 10 years. I encourage people to find out more about the award and how to apply by visiting the AgriFutures Australia website. Applications close on 7 November.

The Women Together Learning (WoTL) Stepping into Leadership Program is designed to support development of leaders in agriculture and agribusiness, and provides professional development, coaching, networking and mentoring support to 15 women each year across South Australia. It's specifically designed for emerging leaders in agriculture and agribusiness looking for support to prepare for leadership roles in industry, community or business. PIRSA has proudly supported this program since its inception in 2012.

Another program supported by me through my department is the Regional Leadership Development Program. Though not limited to women, a very high number of women tend to participate in this program, which is fantastic. When developing the program, the purpose was to assist regional areas with developing and retaining leaders, to ensure that our regional communities have the leadership capacity necessary into the future for them to thrive. I try to attend as many graduations of these programs as I can, and I often hear from participants that they found the program genuinely life-changing.

Earlier this year, I hosted an International Women's Day breakfast for local women leaders in my area in Mount Gambier. At this breakfast there was support for the establishment of a mentor program for women living in the Limestone Coast. The other fantastic characteristic of regional women is their willingness to give up their time to champion other women. With the help of RDA Limestone Coast, I have established a mentor group in the South-East where these well-respected local leaders are giving up their time to assist other women, whether it's in developing confidence, increasing skills or building their networks, to ensure the Limestone Coast is well-equipped with the next generation of women ready to enter into leadership positions.

I would like to thank all the rural and regional women in South Australia who play key roles in their communities, whether that's through unpaid work as carers, as food producers, as innovators, business owners, volunteers or community leaders. In my role, I will continue to champion regional and rural women to ensure that we have the capabilities and, importantly, the development opportunities that are imperative for regional women in terms of the prosperity of their state, their communities and their networks.

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