Three by Three Questions: Roles and Impact of Women in Coffee-Producing Countries – INSIDE NKG

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Three by Three Questions: Roles and Impact of Women in Coffee-Producing Countries

OUT OF THE BOX

Three by Three Questions: Roles and Impact of Women in Coffee-Producing Countries

women shape the future of coffee

From seed to shipment, women play a vital yet often underrepresented role in the global coffee supply chain. Whether in the fields, in quality control, or in advocacy work, their contributions shape the future of coffee in meaningful ways. In this issue, we speak with three women from different position in the supply chain: a sustainability specialist working directly with farmers, a green coffee trader navigating international markets, and a representative of an organization that empowers women in coffee-growing communities. Each brings her own distinct perspective, offering female insights into the world of coffee. We asked each of them the same three questions—and their answers reveal not only challenges, but also resilience, innovation, and hope.

What are the biggest challenges women face in producing countries and which opportunities do you see for change or growth?

Can you share an example of a project, initiative, or personal experience that has helped empower women in coffee?

What motivates you to work in coffee and which message would you like to share with other women in the industry?

In producing countries such as Honduras, women producers face major challenges. Among the main ones are limited access to technical assistance, scarce financing opportunities, and the burden of household responsibilities, which significantly reduces the time available to devote to production. In addition, in some cases, the limitations come from the producers themselves, due to a lack of confidence or training opportunities.

From my point of view, change and growth begin with the women producers themselves. It is important to strengthen their skills, leadership, and self-confidence. But the sector must also support them with more inclusive and equitable programs that take into account the specific needs of women. This will give them access to resources, knowledge, and support networks that will improve their participation and development in the coffee chain.

Although I do not have direct personal experience, I have had the opportunity to be part of the BECAMO team that implements projects focused on empowering women, both producers and those who, although they are not producers, play a key role in decision-making within the household.

Among the most notable initiatives are hydroponic gardens, which strengthen food security and generate additional income; training with flexible schedules, adapted to women's daily responsibilities; and short- and long-term financing programs designed to facilitate the renovation or rehabilitation of farms. In addition, equitable access to projects and opportunities is promoted, recognizing the fundamental role of women throughout the coffee chain.

I come from a family of coffee producers, so coffee has been part of my life since before I was born. Working now in a coffee export company has allowed me to see the sector from another perspective, understand the challenges we face as a country, and appreciate even more the effort behind each coffee producer and each quital that trusts us.

What motivates me to continue in this field is how much I have grown as a person and as a professional. Coffee has taught me to adapt, overcome challenges, and above all, appreciate the impact we can have by being part of positive changes in Honduran coffee farming.

I would tell other women in the industry that our role in coffee is important and necessary. Every step we take in this field paves the way for more women to dream, decide, and lead in the world of coffee, and shows that we are also part of the change that coffee farming needs.

Daniza Michell Oliveros,
Monitoring/Compliance Officer EUDR, Sustainable Producer Services Unit, Becamo

What are the biggest challenges women face in producing countries and which opportunities do you see for change or growth?

Can you share an example of a project, initiative, or personal experience that has helped empower women in coffee?

What motivates you to work in coffee and which message would you like to share with other women in the industry?

One of the biggest challenges women face in producing countries is unequal access to resources. Land, financing, training, and market information are often harder to access for them than for men. On top of that, traditional gender roles often expect women to take care of the household and family while also contributing to farm work. There have been good initiatives, projects that promote gender equity through training and recognition of women-produced coffees. These efforts are encouraging, but real change takes time. Also, it is not only about shifting the perception of men, but also about women themselves gaining confidence. It is still a long way to go.

In October I attended the 4th Women Powered Coffee Summit here in Mexico, in San Cristóbal, Chiapas, together with more than 300 women from across the coffee world, from producers in Latin America to international coffee professionals. The summit is a unique space that connects women from every part of the supply chain to exchange knowledge, share experiences, and build networks across borders. For me, it is a strong example of an initiative that empowers women by creating visibility, building confidence, and strengthening the community.

I am motivated by the diversity and impact that working in coffee brings. This industry connects such different worlds - a single conversation can move from data, trade, and logistics to tradition, flavor, and culture. For producers, coffee means livelihood, whereas for consumers it may not be essential for survival, but for many it feels indispensable, something that energizes, comforts, and brings joy to everyday life. Being part of this value chain gives me a deep sense of purpose. I am grateful that my work is not just a profession, but something I genuinely enjoy doing every single day. For me, it has never been about being “better,” but about being equally valued and having the same opportunity, the same right to be here, to learn, and to contribute. My message to other women is: stay resilient, keep your passion, and focus on collaboration. The real progress comes from men and women working together and respecting each other’s contributions.

Verena Bonn,
Head of Certifications & Trader, ECC

What are the biggest challenges women face in producing countries and which opportunities do you see for change or growth?

Can you share an example of a project, initiative, or personal experience that has helped empower women in coffee?

What motivates you to work in coffee and which message would you like to share with other women in the industry?

A major challenge along the coffee supply chain continues to be the visibility and recognition of women's work. Unfortunately, there are very hierarchical structures in many coffee-growing countries, which means that women have less education and therefore fewer opportunities. In addition, the traditional family image means that bringing up children plus work in the household leaves women with few opportunities to get involved in optimizing coffee cultivation. As coffee farmers increasingly need two incomes, women will have to take on even more responsibility, and reliable school and childcare times would be helpful. Improving transparency with the help of digital tools will hopefully help to better map the supply chain and thus simplify market access.

In 2018, with the help of the then SCAE (Specialty Coffee Association of Europe), land in the province of Rulindo was purchased from the IWCA (International Women in Coffee Alliance) Rwanda. The legal process for the purchase was complicated, but the women's cooperative Koakaka was created. Angelique Karekezi, the president of the IWCA Rwanda at the time, established contact with a Berlin roasting cooperative. With the help of GIZ, a blockchain project was introduced, fortunately shortly before Covid. The female coffee farmers were trained and Angelique's Finest was launched as a brand. This project ("coffee made entirely by women") connects cultivation directly with the German market and won the German Sustainability Award in 2024. https://kaffee-kooperative.de/angeliques-finest/

Coffee is not only a very varied and interesting product, it is also a natural and enjoyable product. The entire process, from cultivation to processing and preparation, has so many facets; there is always something new to learn. But it's not just the product, especially the people behind the product, that make it exciting to work in this industry every day. I feel privileged to have traveled to many countries around the world in the last 25 years, to have met many coffee enthusiasts and I am happy to be able to continue this through my involvement with womenincoffee.org. Volunteering can make a big difference, we are happy to receive support!

Anke Erichsen,
Member of the Board International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA) Global

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