On the eve of the 6th EFFAT Congress, a pivotal side event brought together a diverse and engaged audience, sparking vital discussions on the pressing challenges women face across the EFFAT sectors of food, agriculture, tourism, and domestic work. The event featured a dynamic lineup of experts and speakers who emphasized the urgent need for collaboration and concrete action to address gender-based disparities such as the gender pay gap, work-life balance, and gender-based violence and harassment.
A major highlight of the event was the launch of one of the project’s most significant deliverables: the final report on gender discrimination in EFFAT sectors (EN – DE – ES) – Understanding Gender Inequalities in EFFAT Sectors: Food, Agriculture, Tourism, and Domestic Work.
The report outlines the pervasive gender inequalities that exist across agriculture, food and drink, domestic work, and tourism, highlighting the structural barriers women face in these industries.
It draws attention to critical issues such as the gender pay gap, which remains stark in many sectors and country, which in the Spanish agriculture sector reaches almost 30% and over 15% in the hospitality sector in Cyprus.
Women often occupy lower-paid and lower-skilled roles, with limited opportunities for advancement. Precarious employment is a widespread issue, disproportionately affecting migrant women, who face informal contracts, exploitation, and limited protections, especially in domestic work and agriculture. Work-life balance also remains a key challenge, as caregiving responsibilities often lead to part-time work and poor working conditions for women. The isolation and informality of sectors like domestic work further hinder unionization and advocacy efforts, leaving many women vulnerable to ongoing discrimination.
Each sector presents unique challenges. In agriculture, gender inequalities are compounded by a reliance on seasonal and migrant labor, often under precarious conditions. The food and drink sector demonstrates a glaring “glass ceiling,” with fewer women in senior roles despite equal representation in entry-level positions. Domestic work is marked by informality and undervaluation, while tourism relies heavily on feminized labor in undervalued roles, creating significant disparities in pay and job security.
With vibrant participation from EFFAT members, the event served as a rallying point for a renewed commitment to gender equality. By combining actionable recommendations with a united effort, EFFAT is well-positioned to lead the charge for transformative changes across its sectors.
This milestone marks the beginning of a new chapter, with EFFAT and its members striving for a fairer, more inclusive future where women’s rights and contributions are fully recognized and valued.
