1. Introduction
1.1 Introduction
This report is the second of two studies on the role and contribution of women to the rural economy. The first report looked at the paid and unpaid work undertaken by rural women over time in order to draw attention to the visibility and importance of this work to the economy (Rivers, 1992). In that report a range of issues were identified for further analysis. These included changes in women’s lives, the increasing burden of additional economic activities, and the new status and positions many rural women are seeking. The constraints still imposed by society on rural women, the opportunities now available to them, the ways in which barriers may be overcome to give recognition to their work, and the ways rural women can be assisted to achieve their goals and aspirations, are the focus of the second study.
This second report shows a complex picture of changing roles and greater diversity in rural women’s lives.Diversity is emerging as a facet of personal choice, as well as a consequence of economic constraints and restructuring. There are major differences between the lives of women from the older generations and those from younger generations. Social, economic and environmental movements at a global level have local implications which are transforming the lives of rural people. Rural women are increasingly more involved in paid employment while also being actively involved in unpaid, community support.
1.2 Approach to the study
This report has further investigated issues identified by women as significant in the first study. These include women’s involvement in rural and primary production, formal decision making, and paid employment, and how women are treated both as customers of services and by the rural media.
This report touches on some of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and constraints affecting rural women. The previous report focused predominantly on non-Maori women. We hoped that this report would rectify this situation by analysing issues of importance to rural Maori women and incorporating these into the analysis. Although this work started, it has not been possible to include it for reasons beyond the authors’ control. This study is, therefore, by default a study of the experiences of non-Maori rural women.
The information for this report has come from many sources. The literature search to identify emerging trends ranged from the academic to newspapers and magazines. Research methods included written questionnaires, telephone interviews, face to face individual interviews, and focus group interviews. In addition, the most recent published data available on rural women (from the 1991 Census of Population and Dwellings) has been analysed (see appendix 1). Because of rural boundary changes it has not been possible to undertake trend analysis over time, but where such data is available from customised data sets this information is provided.
A short summary of the report is provided at appendix 2.
Contact for Enquiries
Rural Affairs Coordinator
Sector Performance Policy
MAF Policy
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
PO Box 2526
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 4 894 0675
Fax: +64 4 4 894 0745
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