Cultivating Equality and Leadership for Women in Coffee Farming in Brazil
Promoting gender equality is a fundamental principle present in all our projects. At ICP, we work to enhance more balanced decision-making and a fair distribution of responsibilities within farming families and communities. In this context, women and men are encouraged to recognize each other as equal partners - sharing opportunities, responsibilities, and leadership in both farming activities and family dynamics.
ICP projects are committed to ensure full access to training and climate education for women. Their role in decision-making at home, on the farm and in communities is strengthened, and they are supported as active members and leaders in farmer organizations.
These ongoing efforts are reflected in the growing number of female participants in ICP trainings, which has steadily increased in all regions in recent years and currently stands at 45%.
A Space for Voice, Leadership and Transformation
A concrete example of our commitment to strengthen women in our projects was the workshop "Women in the Countryside: Voice, Leadership and Transformation", held in Minas Gerais, Brazil. This workshop offered female farmers a space for exchanging experiences, sharing knowledge and advancing the female presence in coffee farming.
The event was hosted at Terrain Coffee, a venue of the Regional Association of Coffee Growers of São Francisco de Paula, one of our local partners in Minas Gerais. The workshop brought together 29 female participants, including women coffee producers, their daughters and young women from municipalities in the region, promoting a diverse and highly participatory environment.
Building Knowledge through Dialogue and Practice
The workshop offered conversation circles and promoted interactive dynamics. Ana Claudia Silva, from Sancoffee, and Francyelly Lasmar Balduino, from HRNS do Brasil, led dialogues on the role of women in coffee farming, and encouraged sharing of experiences from the field.
"This workshop created a space for women to exchange about their role in agriculture, in family businesses and within associations and communities. Events like this are essential to strengthen collective female action and value the role of women, who are central to the future of coffee farming and its communities."
A Space for Voice, Leadership and Transformation
Sharing technical knowledge played an important role. Sonia Maria Lara, representative of EMATER, provided information and guidance on sustainable rural development and climate resilience, family farming and income diversification, expanding the perspectives of the female participants on opportunities in rural areas.
Among the main learnings of the workshop, the following stand out:
- The importance of creating safe spaces for women to listen and speak
- The value of exchanging experiences and knowledge as a tool for collective empowerment
- The need to increase female participation in decision-making and leadership processes
- The importance of income diversification to promote autonomy and growth
- The power of women's networks as drivers of transformation in rural communities
"We had very productive lectures, strong engagement and received overwhelmingly positive feedback. I would like to encourage more women to participate in events like this"
Planting seedlings at the entrance of the Terrain Coffee venue marked the end of the event symbolizing the growth, connection and collective impact that women can cultivate in the coffee community.
When women are strengthened, the positive impacts can serve as a driver for transformation of coffee farming, family businesses and communities - economically, environmentally and socially.
