The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) announced the opening of applications for its Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program in honour of International Women’s Day 2023.
The Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program mentors women who want to be leaders in shaping the future of Australian agriculture.
According to the NFF, the program will provide 12 aspiring women from across Australia the opportunity to clarify their goals and determine their pathway to achieving them.
NFF President Fiona Simson stated that the Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program, now in its sixth year, has earned a reputation in the agricultural business for cultivating the confidence and abilities needed to advance women in their professions.
“Mentoring is a powerful way to build leadership skills and is what sets our program apart. It connects emerging leaders with established trailblazers, allowing them to share knowledge, experience and tap into new networks,” Simson said.
According to the NFF, the program’s 52 alumni are transforming the agricultural business through new leadership roles, board nominations, and the confidence to provide a fresh viewpoint.
Simson stated that a recent survey revealed that over half of the program’s alumni have achieved board positions since graduating.
“I am proud of the progress agriculture is making in levelling up the gender gap in leadership positions,” Simson said.
Simson recalled being elected as the first female President of the NFF in 2016. She added that now that three more women are sitting alongside her, the NFF now has a 50/50 gender balance.
This year’s International Women’s Day theme is DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality, which Simson says is in line with modern agriculture, an industry that embraces technology and is at the forefront of innovation.
According to NFF, the Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program is made possible by the generosity of 36 committed partners, including multinational corporations, advocacy organisations, and government, all of whom are setting a good example by ensuring diverse voices are represented and championed within their organisations.
Simson said the NFF’s 2030 Roadmap aims to increase the number of women in agricultural leadership positions by 2030.
“In 2018, only 18% of leadership roles were represented by women in agriculture. Through the determination of our partners and the progress they’ve made on their own leadership goals, our partners now have an average of 38.7% female leadership representation within their organisations,” Simson added.
