Farm women are emerging from the shadows from the first time in Australia's history. No longer content to be ignored, they are forming lobby groups, targeting politicians and organising conferences in order to share feelings of isolation, to raise their own issues and to gain support for changing the agricultural system.
'Women on the Land' presents the reality of lives of farm women and examines their often overlooked contributions to our agricultural industries. Using the voices of the women themselves, it presents an often stark picture of a group of people battling not only to keep their farms going, but to keep their families and communities together.
Writing from a feminist perspective, Dr Alston addresses the gender inequities in rural communities, in the agricultural industries and organisations, and within farming families. The crisis on the land has raised our awareness of farming families. This book reveal the human face of the crisis.
Contents:
Chapter 1. Farm Women: Who are They?
Chapter 2. A Feminist Focus on the Lives of Farm Women
Chapter 3. The Changing Nature of Women's Work on Farms
Chapter 4. How Family Shapes Women's Lives
Chapter 5. Who's Got the Power?
Chapter 6. Working for Love
Chapter 7. Working on the Land
Chapter 8. Working for Money
Chapter 9. Down (and Out) on the Farm
Chapter 10. What Do I Call Myself?
Chapter 11. Making Farm Women Visible
Notes
Index