Sexism: Female farmers fighting back ⏲️ 6 Minute English

TL;DR

Female farmers use tech to combat sexism and gain fair prices.

Transcript

Hello. This is 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English. I'm. Neil, and I'm Beth. If you've ever tried growing vegetables, you'll know it's not easy. They need water, soil and plenty of sunlight. Plus, you have to keep away weeds and insects. But in some countries female farmers face a different problem growing and selling vegetables - sexism, th... Read More

Key Insights

• Female farmers globally face sexism, particularly in lower and middle-income countries where they are often expected to stay home and raise children.
• In Bangladesh, female farmers like Poppy use an e-commerce app called 'Farm to Go' to sell produce anonymously and earn fair prices.
• The app allows female farmers to earn slightly higher profits per sale, which accumulate over time to significantly improve their financial situation.
• The app not only provides financial benefits but also challenges societal attitudes towards gender roles in agriculture.
• In Peru, female coffee growers have formed savings and credit unions to access finance and invest in necessary farming equipment.
• These financial cooperatives allow members to pool resources and provide loans, empowering female farmers with financial independence.
• The success of these initiatives demonstrates the potential for technology and cooperative models to address gender inequality in agriculture.
• The UN's World Food Programme states that tomatoes are the world's most popular vegetable, illustrating the global importance of agricultural produce.

Questions & Answers

Q: What challenges do female farmers face in Bangladesh?

Female farmers in Bangladesh face challenges such as harassment and underpayment at marketplaces. They are often not welcome at these venues due to societal expectations that women should stay at home and raise children. This sexism limits their ability to earn a fair income from their agricultural efforts.

Q: How does the 'Farm to Go' app help female farmers?

The 'Farm to Go' app helps female farmers by allowing them to sell their produce online without revealing their identity. This anonymity helps them avoid harassment and ensures they receive fair prices for their products, slightly increasing their profits and improving their financial situation over time.

Q: What financial model is being used by female farmers in Peru?

Female farmers in Peru are using a savings and credit union model, which is a type of cooperative bank. Members pool their savings, allowing them to lend funds to each other. This model provides female farmers with access to finance, enabling them to invest in necessary equipment and gain financial independence.

Q: What is the impact of these initiatives on gender attitudes?

These initiatives have the potential to challenge and change societal attitudes towards gender roles in agriculture. By empowering female farmers with financial independence and fair market access, these programs demonstrate women's capabilities in managing farms and contributing economically, thus challenging traditional gender norms.

Q: Why is the increase in profits significant for female farmers?

Even a small increase in profits per sale is significant for female farmers because these small amounts accumulate over time, leading to a noticeable improvement in their overall financial situation. This can make a substantial difference in their ability to support their families and invest in their farms.

Q: How does the savings and credit union model work?

The savings and credit union model works by allowing members to pool their savings together. Each member contributes a small amount, creating a collective fund. This fund can then be accessed by members in need of loans, providing them with the necessary capital to invest in their farming operations.

Q: What is the world's most popular vegetable according to the UN?

According to the UN's World Food Programme, tomatoes are considered the world's most popular vegetable. Although technically a fruit, nutritionists classify tomatoes as a vegetable due to their common culinary uses, making them the most widely consumed vegetable globally.

Q: What vocabulary terms are highlighted in the program?

The program highlights vocabulary terms such as 'sexism,' 'fluctuate,' 'risen dramatically,' 'make a big difference,' 'savings and credit union,' and 'chip in.' These terms are explained in the context of the challenges and solutions faced by female farmers, providing useful language insights for learners.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Female farmers in many countries face sexism, impacting their ability to sell produce at fair prices. In Bangladesh, an app called 'Farm to Go' helps them sell anonymously and earn better profits, challenging gender norms.

• In Peru, female coffee growers use savings and credit unions to access finance, allowing them to invest in necessary equipment and gain financial independence, showcasing the power of cooperative models.

• These initiatives highlight how technology and cooperative finance can empower female farmers, improve their financial situations, and challenge societal attitudes towards gender roles in agriculture.