Women's History Month is not just about remembering the impact of women who came before us, it is also about learning to recognize those who continue paving the way for other women today, those who are leaders in their families, in their communities and serve as an example for the rest of us.
Women play a crucial role as farmers and leaders in our cooperative. However, it is an unfortunate fact that the opportunities and access for women in coffee, as in many other fields, are more limited than for their male counterparts.
“Between 20% and 30% of coffee farms are female-operated and up to 70% of labour in coffee production is provided by women, depending on the region. However, the empirical evidence presented in this report shows that women have systematically lower access to resources, such as land, credit and information, than men.” (Gender Equality in the Coffee Sector, International Coffee Organization)
It is important to recognize the gender disparity as we continue to fight for equity and access for all. As consumers we can have a say, and we can build a more accessible platform for women and all who have been historically marginalized and underrepresented.
Today, we want to share with you the faces of women you may never meet in person, but whose love and care supports their families, their communities, and their fields. These women produce the special coffee you drink each day. Below is only a small portion of the many women farmer-owners of Pachamama Coffee.
