European Congress
on Renewal and Rural Development

Women’s opening at the European Congress for Rural Renewal and Development.

Once, the managers of “poverty”, today more and more often leaders of social, economic and cultural changes. The modern countryside would not be the same without the involvement of women, they – as farmers, entrepreneurs, social activists and cultural managers – shape the modern image of the Polish countryside.

On the past and future, women’s work and their fight for visibility and equality (also in rural areas): Anna Skoczek, a journalist at Radio Poznań, talked with Joanna Kuciel-Frydryszak, the author of the bestseller “Female Peasants”, and Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka, Deputy Minister for European Union Affairs.

Once and today

Today, women play an important role in agriculture. Once the “managers of poverty”, today the village administrators, whose role in modern agriculture and rural culture is constantly growing. More and more often, they become the leaders of local initiatives, showing that tradition can go hand in hand with innovation.

Joanna Kuciel-Frydryszak – author of the bestseller “Female Peasants”:

This book [Female Peasants] is a book about the power of women. We need taking a new look at women’s efforts, breaking stereotypes of rural women. Women need attention and appreciation. The problem of insufficient appreciation already occurred at that time, women were already demanding attention, demanding help, demanding joint housekeeping.

Changes

The moment of joining the Union also activated women who started to focus on themselves. Modern women play a key role in almost every area of life – from politics, through science, education and business, to culture and social life. Increasingly, they hold managerial positions, involve in social activities and shape public opinion.

Magdalena Sobkowiak– Czarnecka – Deputy Minister for European Union Affairs:

The EU funds and the processes of digitisation and digitalisation have changed a lot. Today, women staying in rural areas may lead professional lives, pursue their own businesses, manage online stores. It is these changes that have shortened the distance and let them stay in their small homeland, while reaching their professional and personal goals.

The involvement of women in rural areas translates not only into the rural development, but also into strengthening the local community, shaping cultural identity and building a future that is based on a balance between progress and respect for tradition.

Equality

Equality, while still a challenge, is becoming a reality. Women not only combine work and family life but also break stereotypes and inspire future generations to act.

Magdalena Sobkowiak– Czarnecka – Deputy Minister for European Union Affairs:

As long as a woman is financially dependent on a man, it is difficult to talk about full equality since there is always this element of financial advantage. The key to equality is to understand and change public awareness.

Women’s time

The present day brings a new quality of life for women – both in cities and in rural areas. It is a time when their voice is heard, their skills are appreciated, and their social and professional role is more and more significant.

Magdalena Sobkowiak– Czarnecka – Deputy Minister for European Union Affairs:

Now is a good time for women in general and for rural women to talk about themselves. The enormous change that has started in rural areas is already unstoppable.

Joanna Kuciel-Frydryszak – author of the bestseller “Female Peasants”:

This is a good time for women. Looking through the prism of generation, this is a good time and it is unstoppable, women are unstoppable. The only obstacle to us is a kind of pressure from outside, either limiting our funds or not noticing us and our needs.

Magdalena Sobkowiak– Czarnecka – Deputy Minister for European Union Affairs:

Convincing women is the key to convincing the public, women have the greatest reach when it comes to conversation, they are highly credible. That is why today we also want to support women in the candidate countries [to the European Union] to make them strong, to convey European values, democratic values and equality.

Once, the managers of “poverty”, today more and more often leaders of social, economic and cultural changes. The modern countryside would not be the same without the involvement of women, they – as farmers, entrepreneurs, social activists and cultural managers – shape the modern image of the Polish countryside.