Rural women farmers help sustain Jamaica’s food supply, livelihoods and community life. Recognising their contribution also invites us to consider a question at the heart of SADA’s work: how can more people participate, contribute and belong?
For the St. Ann Disability Association Benevolent Society (SADA), inclusion means recognising people’s abilities, listening to their experiences and encouraging opportunities for participation. A conversation about rural women and farming belongs within that wider conversation about dignity, community connection and equal opportunity.
Recognising the work behind our food
Women’s contributions to rural life extend across farming, food businesses and community leadership. Jamaica’s Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport has highlighted their contribution to food security and local development, alongside the need for fairer access to land, financing and technical support.
Recognition should make room for women’s own accounts of their work, ambitions and priorities. Listening to producers is a starting point for understanding what support they want and what they would like to change. Their knowledge deserves a place in discussions about the future of their communities.
Making opportunity accessible
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) identifies unequal access to resources, services, technology and decision-making as concerns for rural inclusion. Its approach includes rural women and persons with disabilities, recognising that people can encounter different and overlapping barriers to participation.
For our community, that raises practical questions. Can someone obtain information in a format they can use? Can they enter a meeting space and take part in the discussion? Are organisers asking participants what would help them attend? An invitation becomes more useful when the arrangements make participation possible.
What inclusive participation can look like
Community groups, event organisers and potential partners can use these starting points when planning activities:
- Ask and listen: invite women farmers and persons with disabilities to help shape discussions and activities.
- Share clear information: explain the purpose, location, timing and contact arrangements in plain language, with alternatives to image-only notices.
- Consider access early: discuss venue access, seating, transport needs and communication support with the people taking part.
- Respect individual choices: ask how people wish to participate and be identified, including when photographs or personal stories are shared.
- Value different contributions: make space for participants’ knowledge, ideas and skills without making assumptions about their abilities.
Stronger connections in St. Ann
SADA’s focus on rights, participation and belonging offers a foundation for these conversations. Celebrating rural women farmers can encourage members, supporters and neighbours to think about whose contributions are recognised and whose voices still need to be heard.
Community connection begins with a willingness to listen. Each conversation is an opportunity to learn what people value, understand the barriers they identify and explore practical ways to work together.
Photo highlights from the rural women gathering
These photographs show a gathering marking the International Day of Rural Women, with presentations, shared tables and conversations in the hall. Select a photograph to open the gallery, then use the left and right arrows to browse the images.
Be part of the conversation
Are you a rural woman farmer, a community organisation or someone interested in more inclusive opportunities in St. Ann? Contact SADA to share your perspective or explore ways to get involved. You can also visit our Get Involved page to learn about participation, volunteering and partnership.