Woman farmer is breadwinner, keeper of hearth and traditions
The year 2026, that has just begun, has been declared the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF 2026). In this regard, the International Women’s Union has announced the holding of a photo contest to create a unique photo record of women farmers’ labour, traditions and lifestyle, popularize occupations in agriculture and visually support the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including achieving zero hunger and gender equality.
This ambitious project is being implemented with the technical assistance of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation in Moscow. The project is also supported by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation.
The press service of the Moscow FAO Office has interviewed Alfiya Amirova, President of the Regional Public Organization “International Women’s Union”, chairperson of the steering committee of the “WOMAN FARMER: FACES OF THE EARTH” International Photo Contest.
– Ms Amirova, what do you see as the main objective of the “Woman Farmer: Faces of the Earth” project in the context of the International Year of the Woman Farmer?
– The main mission of our project is to put a human face on global statistics. The UN has declared 2026 the International Year of the Woman Farmer to attract attention to the crucial, yet often invisible role of women in agrifood systems – from production to trade. We want to show that behind every percentage in the reports stands a real woman with her own destiny, character and love for the land. We do not just speak about problems of access to resources and land rights, we show the strength, wisdom and beauty of those who feed the world on a daily basis.
– The contest provides a unique possibility: a woman farmer can be not just the face, but the hand behind the camera. Why is it so important to you that women pick up the camera themselves and tell their own stories?
– No one can tell the story of a life better than the one who lived it. That is the very idea of people’s diplomacy and genuine dialogue. When a woman picks up the camera, she is no longer just a figure in the frame – she becomes a voice behind it. She chooses the angle herself: whether to show the morning fog over the field, her calloused hands, or the happy eyes of the children she nourishes through her work. This helps avoid inauthenticity and stereotypes. And in this way, a deeply authentic documentary portrait of our time is created – one where the true author is the working woman herself.
– The prize is more than just a diploma. It is inclusion in a photo album-catalogue. It is exhibitions in Moscow and at international venues. It is features in leading media outlets. What real prospects does this create for everyday working women?
– This opens “a window of opportunities”. First of all, it is public recognition of their contribution at the highest level, which is valuable in itself. Then, it is a very practical moment: participation in such projects raises their status and brings them recognition. According to FAO experts, the Russian Federation may serve as a model of women’s engagement in agriculture: here, they make up the majority of those employed in the sector. Moreover, they represent a skilled workforce with higher education.
Our project helps them find new contacts, showcase their farms to the entire country and draw attention to their products. A photo album or an exhibition in Moscow and then in other regions and countries is a strong start for the development of a personal brand and, as a result, for business expansion.
– The contest is supported by the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Agriculture. What does the partnership like this brings to the project and what role do the organizers play in carrying it out?
– Support from FAO and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation is a mark of the highest trust and a guarantee that we are moving in the right direction. Partnership with the Moscow FAO Office allows us to include our project in the global agenda of the International year and use the best international practices and methods. We draw on their expertise when it comes to sustainable development and rural women’s empowerment.
The Ministry of Agriculture’s involvement keeps the project grounded in the everyday reality in the regions, with the state support programmes that are currently operating at the local level. Co-organizers help us with expert evaluation of the entries and, most importantly, with further promotion of the heroines, so that their stories are heard both in meeting halls and at international forums.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Professional photographers, amateurs, and women farmers themselves, who can act as both authors and heroines of the pictures, are invited to participate in the contest. There are no age restrictions. Participation is free.
Key dates:
- Submission of entries: from 1 March to 25 September 2026.
- Announcement of results: by 25 October 2026.
Winners and finalists will be awarded diplomas. Their works will be included in a special photo album-catalogue “Woman Farmer: Faces of the Earth” and will be featured in final photo exhibitions in Moscow, regions of the Russian Federation, and at international venues. The best pictures will also be published in leading media outlets.
To submit an application, learn more about the full contest terms and conditions, and review the official regulations, please visit: www.womenagriculture.org