|
| Main
| français
| CWHN home |
|
Download
the PDF (388 KB, 18 Pages)
Redefining Policy Making Taking Action to Influence Policy Policy for Rural Women
|
|
Seeking a Seat at the Policy Table: Farm Women and the Impact of Program Cuts Nikki Gerrard, Saskatoon Health District, Gwen Russell, Researcher, and Noreen Johns, Farmer, Educator and Community Worker, the Saskatchewan Women’s Agricultural Network
The relationship between farm women’s health and reductions in federal and provincial funding were explored in a study sponsored by the Prairie Women’s Health Centre of Excellence in 1999.¹ The study found that the enormous challenges faced by Saskatchewan farmers are magnified for farm women. In addition to farming, many of these women care for children and ageing parents and work at off-farm jobs. Programs funded by government and administered by farm women’s organizations have benefited farm women by inviting them into the agricultural policy development process, and by providing education, networking opportunities and training. The 11 women who participated in the study reported health detriments of loss of voice and connectedness that resulted when these programs were curtailed or terminated. The study created an inventory of programming from 1970- 2000, identifying five federal programs. The Farm Women’s Bureau (FWB), established in 1981 to implement federal agricultural policies, was considerably diminished by 1995. This important organization administered funding for significant educational, training and policy development projects in which farm women participated. It now operates without a clear mandate, is under constant funding pressures and has no capacity to fund projects that would advance understanding of the legal, economic and social issues of farm business women. The Farm Women’s Information Initiative (FWII) was established in 1985 as a grant under the mandate of the FWB to provide information to farm women on agricultural policies, programs and legislation. The FWII occasionally carried out informational direct-mail campaigns, and sponsored a toll-free information phone line, but the grant supporting it was cancelled. The objectives of the Canadian Farm Women’s Education Council, founded in 1987, were to increase access to farm business training for women, promote professionalism and leadership of farm women, and increase awareness of the status and impact of policy on training. The Council was also terminated in the mid-1990s due to a lack of stable funding. The National Coalition for Rural Child Care existed from 1995 to 1998 to set up childcare centres in rural Canada. A lack of ongoing funding to assist in standardizing regional variations in laws and policies led to the Coalition’s demise. While in operation or when sufficiently funded, these programs offered farm women the benefits of taking part in a broad range of activities, such as lobbying, publishing newsletters or books, carrying out research, conducting workshops and providing input into policy. Women in the study reported that these activities raised their awareness, enhanced their sense of community and decreased isolation. Women also benefited from discussing agriculture in a larger context: “All of a sudden I started really looking at the economy, how it affected me and our farm,” one woman said. Most of the women reported health benefits. “Taking action and feeling more in control is the best antidote for depression.” Another woman said that involvement was “Very good for your mental health, and your physical health.” The erosion of programs meant a return to isolation and invisibility. Becoming “peripheral and voiceless,” as one woman said, had implications for health and well-being. “I miss the collective power and support of working with other women in a specific program or project because that tends to boost your confidence and self-esteem.” Although most women expressed anger over the loss of programming, some noted that the activities had meant considerable time away from home, causing additional strain and fatigue. Nikki Gerrard and Noreen Johns, two authors of the study report, have presented the report at conferences, including the Saskatchewan Women’s Agricultural Network conference in February 2000, the Association of Women in Psychology, Los Angeles, 2001 and Women in Agriculture in New Brunswick in April 2001. The report was showcased on CBC television, and presented to the former Saskatchewan Minister of Agriculture and to the current Minister, the Honourable Clay Serby. The study was one of the factors influencing Saskatchewan Health’s decision in the fall of 2000 to establish the Farm Stress Project and to hire one of the study authors, Dr. Nikki Gerrard, as the Farm Stress Consultant to help people identify and manage stress related to farming. Encouraging as this is, serious problems remain. Without the restoration of core funding to the organizations that facilitated farm women’s access to education, training and the policy process, the health of farm women may continue to be detrimentally affected. By cutting funding to these organizations and programs, government has confirmed and exacerbated farm’s women’s relative inaccessibility to economic, political and social power. NOTES For a full copy of the report contact: |
| This page updated |
