When we think of coffee, we often picture bustling cafés, fragrant brews, and the comforting ritual of a morning cup. But behind every sip lies a global network of growers, pickers, roasters, and traders—many of whom are women. While historically overlooked, women have long played a vital role in the coffee industry, from seed to cup. Today, their contributions are finally gaining recognition, and inspiring stories are emerging from every corner of the coffee-growing world.
A Hidden Backbone of the Industry
According to the International Coffee Organization (ICO), women make up approximately 70% of the labor in coffee production worldwide. This includes activities such as planting, harvesting, sorting, and processing beans. Despite this, women own only a fraction of coffee farms and often have limited access to land, training, and financial resources.
In many coffee-producing countries, cultural and systemic barriers have historically kept women in lower-paid, labor-intensive roles while excluding them from decision-making positions. However, this narrative is beginning to shift, thanks to grassroots initiatives, cooperatives, and female-led organizations working to empower women in the coffee value chain.
From Field to Leadership: Stories That Inspire
Let’s explore some real-life stories that highlight the transformation happening in the coffee industry.
1. Olga from Colombia – From Farmer’s Wife to Coffee Entrepreneur
In the mountains of Huila, Colombia, Olga spent years helping her husband run their coffee farm without receiving formal credit or recognition. But after joining a local women’s coffee cooperative, she received training in sustainable farming practices and financial literacy. Today, she runs her own certified organic coffee business, exports beans under her name, and mentors other women in her region.
Olga’s story is not unique—women in Colombia are gaining access to resources and forming powerful networks, enabling them to rise as entrepreneurs in a space that once excluded them.
2. Fatuma from Ethiopia – Leading a Legacy
In Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffee, women have traditionally had strong cultural ties to the beverage through the coffee ceremony, a daily ritual led by women. But it wasn’t until recently that Ethiopian women began entering the formal coffee business.
Fatuma, a third-generation coffee grower from the Sidama region, took over her family’s farm and transformed it into a sustainable enterprise. Through her leadership, she introduced innovative methods for shade-growing and natural processing, increasing the farm’s quality and yield. Fatuma now sits on the board of a major coffee cooperative, advocating for more training and investment in female-led farms.
3. The Women’s Coffee Alliance – Global Impact
The International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA) has chapters in over 30 countries and plays a significant role in connecting, training, and supporting women in the coffee industry. From Nicaragua to Kenya, the IWCA provides education on quality control, climate resilience, and business development. Their global conferences and local chapters serve as a platform for visibility and collaboration, making it one of the most impactful initiatives promoting gender equity in coffee.
The Challenges Women Still Face
While progress has been made, the road is still long. Some of the most pressing challenges faced by women in the coffee industry include:
- Land Ownership Restrictions: In many regions, women cannot legally own or inherit land, making it difficult to start their own farms.
- Access to Credit and Resources: Financial institutions are less likely to approve loans for female farmers due to a lack of collateral or formal education.
- Limited Representation: Women are underrepresented in cooperatives, leadership roles, and international trade negotiations.
- Gender Pay Gap: Even within the same roles, women are often paid less than their male counterparts.
These systemic issues limit the full potential of women’s contributions and perpetuate cycles of poverty and dependence.
Why Empowering Women Matters in Coffee
Empowering women in coffee isn’t just a matter of fairness—it’s smart business. Studies by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) show that if women had equal access to productive resources, they could increase yields on their farms by 20–30%. That’s not only a win for economic development but also a key strategy for improving food security and sustainability in coffee-growing regions.
When women lead farms, cooperatives, and businesses, they tend to reinvest in their families and communities, creating ripple effects of progress. Empowered women also prioritize environmental stewardship, ethical labor, and education—values that align with the growing demand for socially responsible coffee.
Brands Supporting Women in Coffee
Several coffee brands around the world are now embracing and promoting women-grown coffee. Here are a few examples:
- Café Femenino: One of the first coffee brands to focus exclusively on coffee produced by women. It has empowered thousands of women in Latin America and Africa.
- Equal Exchange: A fair trade cooperative that works directly with women’s farming groups to ensure better wages and working conditions.
- Grounds for Empowerment: An incubator program that supports female specialty coffee farmers with mentorship and market access.
By choosing these and similar brands, consumers can actively support gender equity in the coffee industry.
What Can You Do as a Consumer?
Supporting women in the coffee supply chain starts with awareness and intentional choices. Here are a few ways you can help:
- Buy women-grown coffee: Look for labels that specify the coffee was grown or produced by women.
- Support ethical and transparent brands: Choose companies that promote fair trade, direct trade, and social impact.
- Learn and share: The more people know about the challenges and contributions of women in coffee, the more momentum these movements gain.
- Engage with organizations: Follow and support nonprofits and cooperatives that are doing the work on the ground.
Brewing a More Equitable Future
The story of women in coffee is a story of resilience, reinvention, and rising to new heights. As more women take ownership of their roles and their futures within the coffee supply chain, the entire industry benefits—from the farms to the final cup.
By celebrating their achievements and supporting their efforts, we don’t just improve the quality of our coffee—we contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable world. The next time you sip your coffee, remember: behind that cup, there’s a story—and more often than not, it’s a woman’s story.