Opinion: Time to call time on the sexist ‘dinosaurs’
© Thanrada H/Adobe Stock In writing this piece I’m conscious of following closely on the heels of Farmers Weekly’s current back-page incumbent, Will Evans.
Normally, I would avoid revisiting a subject which has been so ably and recently covered, but given its importance I will for once break this rule.
Being a 6ft tall privately educated white male, I’ve likely enjoyed many unconscious privileges in life. One such is undoubtedly living without fear of discrimination or victimisation based on my gender – sexism.
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I choose the word “fear” carefully, as in recent weeks since Farmers Weekly anonymously published a letter from a woman highlighting the nature of sexual harassment within the industry, I have heard many tales of its everyday reality, both online and in conversation with friends.
Yet we can’t pretend that recent revelations come as a great shock. You would be foolish not to appreciate that even in 2023, society remains deeply prejudiced against women, who must endure and adapt to situations that would be utterly alien to men.
I’ve never had to laugh off – nor physically push off – an unwanted sexual advance, or develop a subconscious routine to minimise the chances of experiencing one at social events; to feel compelled to modify my own behaviour to avoid the predations of others.
Society still has a shamefully long way to go in this, with agriculture perhaps having one of the furthest journeys of all.
Almost all those I admire most in our industry are women. Perhaps that’s just coincidence. Perhaps it’s some internal prejudice of my own.
Or perhaps it’s that for those women to rise to positions of some prominence, they must be exceptional – while men might achieve mere mediocrity yet still rise to position and influence.
What I do know is that we need more women to feel that they can aspire to be whatever they want within the food and farming sector, without fear of either discrimination or being placed in compromising or uncomfortable situations.
This piece has been challenging to write. When it comes to sexism, or diversity and inclusivity within agriculture more generally, I have historically kept my head down on the basis that I don’t have unique insight to contribute.
More, that I might say “the wrong thing” and cause unintended offence, or be accused of attempting to curry popularity by jumping on a “woke” bandwagon.
But the reality is probably that on all these “difficult” issues, it needs us all to take a stand and call out unacceptable behaviour to effect change. To my shame, I haven’t always.
As for the anti-woke brigade, I would pose this question: how would you feel were it your sister or daughter who experienced a hand down their clothes or an unsolicited sexual advance at an industry event?
Would you laugh it off as harmless fun? I doubt it.
Every single member of our industry deserves to be treated with the same basic level of respect regardless of gender, race or sexuality.
We need a more diverse range of personalities, views and skill sets to thrive in this rapidly changing world, otherwise we will ossify and drift to our own extinction.
So let us call out the dinosaurs; their time has come to an end.