International Women’s Day 2026: Supporting the Next Generation
International Women’s Day is an opportunity to reflect on progress and to consider how we can continue creating opportunities for future generations. In industries such as agriculture and agricultural technology, encouraging women to explore careers, share ideas, and take on leadership roles is essential for continued innovation and growth.
At Kverneland Group, we believe that an open and supportive environment allows people to develop their talents and contribute their perspectives. When individuals feel encouraged to speak up, share knowledge, and support one another, stronger teams and better ideas follow.
To mark International Women’s Day, we asked colleagues across our organisation a simple question:
Question: How will you support the next generation of women?
Their answers show that support can take many forms. It can be mentoring a colleague, creating opportunities for young professionals, encouraging confidence, or simply making sure every voice is heard. Each action, no matter how small, contributes to building a more inclusive future.
Check out their answers below!
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Victoria PaytonKverneland Group
Answer:
I will support the next generation of women by being approachable and helping to create an environment where honest guidance is offered, ideas are heard, and achievements are celebrated.
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Davide BonacciniProduct Manager and Network Development Trainer, Kverneland Group Italia
Answer:
Supporting the next generation of women isn’t a single action; it’s a continuous effort to create systems where girls and women can thrive without limitation. Supporting the next generation of women through community leadership means helping girls and women become decision-makers, organizers, and changemakers at the local level, where real impact begins.
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Kirsten HinzKverneland Group Ravenna, Italy
Answer:
By contributing my knowledge and supporting women entering specialized careers.
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Silvia GulmanelliKverneland Group Ravenna, Italy
Answer:
I will support the next generation of women by demonstrating that with determination, self-respect, and teamwork, anything is possible.
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Lisa PilonKverneland Group Nieuw-Vennep
Answer:
I am supporting the next generation of women by slowly changing the narrative in spoken language. I will refer to customers as 'she/her' or 'they' instead of 'he/him' only, and I also incorporate women in pictures/videos in male-dominated fields so that the general world view changes to a more inclusive one.
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Maria VasbottenKverneland Group
Answer:
I will empower young women to believe in their talent and trust their voice.
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Marieke MarisKverneland Group Answer: Supporting and inspiring the next generation of female colleagues in growing their careers in our business, opening doors to leadership roles, and encouraging them to bring in new ideas.
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Anita NordmarkQuality Technician, Kverneland Group, Klepp
Answer:
To truly make a meaningful difference for women and women’s position in society and working life, it’s to late to start thinking about this only when a young woman is standing at the threshold of her career. Our attitudes are shaped and set while we are still young children. That makes it challenging to adopt “new” attitudes in adulthood. Some things can be overridden through behavior, but the underlying attitudes matter most. If everyone “learns” at a young age that girls cannot or should not be able to do the same things as boys, then we have already created a problem. If we buy only sweet, soft, glittery things for girls and sturdy, technical, tough things for boys, we are giving girls a poor starting point. The best thing would be to raise boys and girls the same way, regardless of gender; that everyone receives good, technical toys, meant for both fun and development. And we need to stop saying that a girl is behaving like a boy just because she is robust, independent, and good with tools. A girl does not become more masculine by driving an excavator. A boy does not become more feminine simply because he works in a kindergarten or as a midwife. When women are able to choose traditionally male‑dominated professions, there are obviously far more careers to choose from. And professions that traditionally have belonged only to men are often much better paid. This means that a woman has the opportunity to support herself and her family. She is therefore not “obliged” to find a partner for that reason alone. I have many thoughts and experiences related to this. I have worked in male‑dominated industries for 45 years and have seen how this can play out. Equality is not something you receive. It is something you create!
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