b'and men to every dimension of life, whether in the home or professionally, Tahmazian says. According to data from the United Nations Statistics Division from 2020, the majority ofIts important to push this issue and challenge how we reported countries in the Asia and Pacific region have less than 30% of female senior or middletraditionally think about women. If you want something management positions in government, large enter- to change, you have to work for that. prises and institutions. I would say the trend of our member compa-Lorena Bassonies reflects the overall trend of organizations in the Asia Pacific region, which has relatively more women in management positions compared with other regions, as referenced to UNs Sustainable Development Goals 5s Indicator 5.5.2, concerningprogram and want to contribute. I think that is a the proportion of women in managerial positions,very good start and very encouraging, Tahmazian Chodchoey explains.says. In addition, there is a noticeable increase in theLeaders are hopeful this luncheon will be the percentage of women in the agricultural workforce,first of many and perhaps even a jumping off point particularly in Asian countries. Over the past five tofor more mentoring and networking opportunities 10 years, the number of women in leadership posi- in the future. tions has been slower to change.We could hopefully set up a kind of mentor-I believe that by working together to promoteing, where we organize some virtual follow ups SDG 5, we can create a better trend in the next fivebetween mentor and mentee in order to create a to 10 years, Chodchoey says.real network of exchange for women in the seed For Basso, the question is not why, but ratherbusiness, Tahmazian says.Lorena Basso was why not? Chodchoey also believes strongly in mentoringnamed president of her Culturally, when we think about the commer- programs, something APSA has embraced.family company Semillas cial and production sides of the seed industry, weIn addition to Chodchoey, APSA has threeBasso Argentina in 2011 often think of heavy machinery or working outsidewomen executive committee members, and 25and also became the in the field with growers. We say, I need to hire awomen representatives on the technical commit- first female president of sales guy, but why not a sales woman? she asks.tees who both formally and informally serve asthe Argentinian Seed This is something shes seen reflected at ISFmentors for female personnel in their respectiveAssociation. congresses as well.organizations.The Congress has two parts, and in the regula- This is an especially important factor to ensure tory and breeding side of the industry, women arethe fruition of efforts and commitment of the much better represented. But in the commercialseed industry and society as a whole, Chodchoey and production working groups, this is where weexplains. typically see all men, Basso says. Basso has also seen small choices have a big impact. Future Focus We still have a lot of work to do, and it isnt Chodchoey is excited about the ISF Women in Agalways a formal process, she says. For example, luncheon. when she needs to schedule a speaker for an Its an excellent way to raise awareness in theevent, she tries to encourage a young woman to industry and encourage women to network andstep into that role in an attempt to continue hand-share their experiences, she says.ing the mic to these under represented demo-The preliminary response to the luncheon hasgraphics. been overwhelmingly positive, with many individu- Its important to push this issue and challenge als and organizations wanting to be involved.how we traditionally think about women, Basso Weve had lots of interest, even companiessays. If you want something to change, you have contacting me directly because they saw it on theto work for that.SWINTERNATIONAL EDITION 2023 SEEDWORLD.COM /13'