Celebrating International Women’s Day

…Celebrating Women in Coffee

#ChooseToChallenge

In recognition and support of International Women’s Day, Minas Hill is launching a good range of newly-arrived coffees in Australia. These new coffees of mainly micro-lots, have been produced by some inspirational, female farmers.

At Minas Hill, we believe it is important to recognise the contributions of women to the coffee chain. Their determination to produce and brand their own coffee, and to achieve greater equality in the coffee industry is to be respected and admired. We are proudly associated with the International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA) in Australia.

Simone Borges, from Sitio Canarinho

Why we need to support female producers:

Women are central in sculpting the taste of the specialty coffees we love. As we celebrate the achievements of women this International Women’s Day, we remember the women throughout history who have shaped our understanding of the world today. Women play a vital role in coffee quality and cultivation despite the difficulties they have had to overcome in their coffee-production journey. In the past, coffee was considered to be a man’s crop. Women’s work often went unpaid and unrecognised. Older female growers speak of how they had to deal with the problem of their husbands not allowing them to leave the house to meet with other women growers.  Without the land ownership and necessary income, they were unable to establish themselves as leaders in the coffee industry.

Fortunately, these inspirational women farmers have persevered, to pave the way for impact and innovation in their industry. As we sit back and enjoy some of their delightful micro-lots, we acknowledge their skill and expertise to produce the coffee they have cultivated for years.

They have paved the way for future women farmers in stimulating both the coffee industry and their own communities. We will continue to show our support for women farmers as they strive towards further economic and social change, to have an impact, and seek minimum wages and ethical coffee prices.

Dona Dulce, from Sitio Pinheirinho

The Women in Coffee project:

Created by women, supported by women and focused on women, the Women in Coffee project values the dedication and hard work of their members in showcasing their talent and passion in the production of outstanding micro-lots. Financial support from the project is utilised to empower the women and assist them to become decision-makers in the coffee chain (through education, seminars, forums, expos and English classes). This is just one of the amazing projects recognising the work that women do in coffee-producing countries. Supporting organisations aimed at helping female producers and farm workers, results in improved quality and volume and improved livelihoods.

“When women are fully involved, the benefits can be seen immediately: families are healthier…their income, savings and reinvestment go up. And what is true of families is true of communities and, eventually, whole countries.”          – Kofi Annan (1938-2018)

Maria Simone Borges, from Sitio Canarinho