# Colette Solomon

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Colette_Solomon
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Colette_Solomon.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colette_Solomon
> Source revision: 1314579342
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

**Colette Ursula** **Solomon** is a South African policy researcher, women's rights activist and the director of the feminist non-governmental organisation Women on Farms Project (WFP).[1]

## Education

Solomon lives in [Windhoek](/source/Windhoek) and was educated at the [University of the Western Cape](/source/University_of_the_Western_Cape).[2] She holds a PhD from the [Institute of Development Studies](/source/Institute_of_Development_Studies), [University of Sussex](/source/University_of_Sussex),[2] for the 2003 doctoral dissertation *Giving women choices?: development interfaces-women and credit in Tamale, Northern Ghana*.[3] She has received an honorary doctorate from the [University of Cape Town](/source/University_of_Cape_Town).[1]

## Career and activism

Solomon has undertaken policy research in Namibia, Malawi, Ethiopia and Ghana, focusing on the gendered implications and impact of rural development interventions,[2] whilst working at the Social Sciences Division of the Multi Disciplinary Research Centre, [University of Namibia](/source/University_of_Namibia).[citation needed]

In 2006, Soloman became director of the Women on Farms Project (WFP),[2] which works with women farm workers who are employed on wine farms in the [Western Cape](/source/Western_Cape) and [Northern Cape](/source/Northern_Cape) in [South Africa](/source/South_Africa) and supports them to understand and exercise their rights.[4] The organisation is partnered with [Oxfam](/source/Oxfam).[5]

With WFP, Solomon raises awareness of issues experienced by women workers on farms to national and international audiences, including women earning less than their male counterparts;[6] being paid less than the legal minimum wage and other labour law violations;[7][8] seasonal workers needing a living wage,[9] job security;[10] household food security;[11][12] housing conditions;[13] access to drinking water and toilets in the vineyards;[12] lack of protection from hazardous [pesticides](/source/Pesticide),[14] the impact of climate change and drought on the agricultural industry;[12] mechanisation;[15] and the links between [gender-based violence](/source/Gender-related_violence) and alcohol consumption.[12]

In 2015, Solomon opposed bail being granted to a suspect arrested in connection with the murder of Deoline Demas, a teenager she knew through the WFP's Young Women’s Programme.[16]

During the [COVID-19 pandemic](/source/COVID-19_pandemic) Solomon campaigned for an increase to government grants for farm women.[17]

Solomon was arrested while sitting in the road singing protest songs during an anti-eviction protest near to [Simondium](/source/Simondium), Western Cape, in 2020.[18] She appeared at [Paarl](/source/Paarl) Magistrates’ Court on charges of public violence, which were dropped.[19] She was represented by [Seeham Samaai](/source/Seeham_Samaai), Director of the Women’s Legal Centre, South Africa.[citation needed] She has also spoken about farm evictions to [Members of Parliament](/source/Government_of_South_Africa) at the Constitutional Review Committee in 2018,[20] and has provided evidence in the court cases of individual evicted farmers.[21]

In 2023, Solomon was an endorser of a call made by several civil society organisations against the National Treasury’s tax regime proposals[22] and was present at a march by farm workers to Parliament calling for a meeting with the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development [Thoko Didiza](/source/Thoko_Didiza) to discuss issues of food security, land redistribution and agriculture.[23]

Solomon has joined protests over a decision by the [Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development](/source/Department_of_Agriculture,_Land_Reform_and_Rural_Development) to abandon a promise to phase out harmful pesticides in South Africa, which are banned in the [European Union](/source/European_Union) due to health and environmental risks.[24][25][26] Her comments on how the European green transition can lead to environmentally and socially harmful impacts in the [Global South](/source/Global_North_and_Global_South) have been cited by organisations such as the SOLIDAR Foundation.[27][28]

## Publications and conferences

Solomon has contributed chapters to publications, such as "The Many Faces of Feminism in Namibia" in *The Challenge of Local Feminisms* (1993) with [Dianne Hubbard](/source/Dianne_Hubbard),[29] and *Organizing Women Workers in the Informal Economy: Beyond the Weapons of the Weak* (2013).[30] She has written articles for the South African news agency *[GroundUp](/source/GroundUp_(news_agency))*.[31]

In 2011, Solomon presented at the Social Protection for Social Justice conference held at her alma mater the Institute of Development Studies in [Brighton](/source/Brighton).[32] In 2024 she delivered a session on stakeholder engagement, human rights abuses and due diligence in food supply chains at the 13th [United Nations](/source/United_Nations) Forum on Business and Human Rights in [Geneva](/source/Geneva).[4]

## References

1. Davids, Niémah (26 July 2023). ["Four distinguished South Africans receive UCT hon docs"](https://www.news.uct.ac.za/article/-2023-07-26-four-distinguished-south-africans-receive-uct-hon-docs). *[University of Cape Town](/source/University_of_Cape_Town)*. Retrieved 2025-02-10.

1. ["Colette Solomon"](https://www.worldbenchmarkingalliance.org/team/colette-solomon/). *World Benchmarking Alliance*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250220054953/https://www.worldbenchmarkingalliance.org/team/colette-solomon/) 2025-02-20 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-02-10.

1. Horton, Lynn (2017-12-28). [*Women and Microfinance in the Global South: Empowerment and Disempowerment Outcomes*](https://books.google.com/books?id=vq5CDwAAQBAJ&pg=PR11). Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1-108-31127-4.

1. ["Snapshot series on stakeholder engagement"](https://forumbhr2024.sched.com/event/1iIu0/snapshot-series-on-stakeholder-engagement-nothing-without-us-about-us-putting-rightsholders-representation-at-the-heart-of-human-rights-due-diligence-in-food-supply-chains). *13th United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights*. Retrieved 2025-02-10.

1. Green, Duncan (26 March 2013). ["Strikes, Spookytown, and a traumatic exit from feudalism: Women on Farms in South Africa | From Poverty to Power"](https://frompoverty.oxfam.org.uk/strikes-spookytown-and-a-traumatic-exit-from-feudalism-women-on-farms-in-south-africa/). *From Poverty to Power, Oxfam*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250220054708/https://frompoverty.oxfam.org.uk/strikes-spookytown-and-a-traumatic-exit-from-feudalism-women-on-farms-in-south-africa/) 2025-02-20 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-02-10.

1. Hlati, Okuhle. ["Women's rights in SA: 'Promises, but no action'"](https://www.iol.co.za/capetimes/news/womens-rights-in-sa-promises-but-no-action-e58d5540-a366-4c31-9e3c-9a74c1d28791). *Independent Online (IOL)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220327073417/https://www.iol.co.za/capetimes/news/womens-rights-in-sa-promises-but-no-action-e58d5540-a366-4c31-9e3c-9a74c1d28791) 2022-03-27 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-02-10.

1. Maliti, Soyiso (15 July 2017). ["Spike in illegal evictions at Western Cape farms"](https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/spike-in-illegal-evictions-at-western-cape-farms-10300536). *Weekend Argus*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20241208235131/https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/spike-in-illegal-evictions-at-western-cape-farms-10300536) 2024-12-08 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-02-10.

1. Bratton, Laura (4 September 2017). ["South Africa: Women Farm Workers Protest Labour Law Violations"](https://allafrica.com/stories/201709050080.html). *allAfrica.com*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190502013501/https://allafrica.com/stories/201709050080.html) 2019-05-02 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-02-10.

1. Gontsana, Mary-Ann (2018-01-30). ["Unions fed-up with new minimum wage for farm workers - South Africa Today"](https://southafricatoday.net/south-africa-news/unions-fed-up-with-new-minimum-wage-for-farm-workers/). *South Africa Today*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250220054832/https://southafricatoday.net/south-africa-news/unions-fed-up-with-new-minimum-wage-for-farm-workers/) 2025-02-20 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-02-10.

1. Human, Liezl (2022-10-31). ["Farm workers march to Parliament to demand major reform"](https://groundup.org.za/article/farm-workers-march-to-parliament-to-demand-agrarian-reform/). *GroundUp News*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250220054753/https://groundup.org.za/article/farm-workers-march-to-parliament-to-demand-agrarian-reform/) 2025-02-20 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-02-10.

1. ["Empowering women to curb hunger: Colette Solomon"](https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/radionational-breakfast/empowering-women-to-curb-hunger-corlette-solomon/4065416). *ABC listen*. 2012-06-12. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250220054803/https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/radionational-breakfast/empowering-women-to-curb-hunger-corlette-solomon/4065416) 2025-02-20 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-02-10.

1. Wuchold, Eva (2021-05-18). ["Exploitation and Gender Discrimination in South Africa's Wine Mines"](https://rosalux-geneva.org/de/exploitation-and-gender-discrimination-in-south-africas-wine-mines/) (in de-DE). *[Rosa Luxemburg Foundation](/source/Rosa_Luxemburg_Foundation)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250220054812/https://rosalux-geneva.org/de/exploitation-and-gender-discrimination-in-south-africas-wine-mines/) 2025-02-20 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-02-10.

1. ["South Africa: Labour Department to Probe 'Poor Conditions' On Cape Farm"](https://allafrica.com/stories/202103160618.html). *allAfrica.com*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210419135136/https://allafrica.com/stories/202103160618.html) 2021-04-19 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-02-10.

1. Baro, Joylean M. (2015-07-01). ["A colonial hangover: big profits, massive exploitation in the Cape winelands"](https://www.equaltimes.org/colonial-hangover-big-profits?lang=en). *Equal Times*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240516003802/https://www.equaltimes.org/colonial-hangover-big-profits?lang=en) 2024-05-16 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-02-10.

1. Ishmail, Sukaina (16 October 2019). ["World Food Day: Plight of farmworkers in the spotlight"](https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/western-cape/world-food-day-plight-of-farmworkers-in-the-spotlight-35009501). *Cape Argus*. Retrieved 2025-02-10.

1. Booysen, Chevon. ["Teenage girl's murder suspect known to family"](https://www.iol.co.za/capetimes/news/teenage-girls-murder-suspect-known-to-family-15778961). *Cape Times*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250221012834/https://www.iol.co.za/capetimes/news/teenage-girls-murder-suspect-known-to-family-15778961) 2025-02-21 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-02-10.

1. Human, Liezl (2021-08-19). ["R350-a-month Covid grant is too low, say speakers at Women on Farms meeting"](https://groundup.org.za/article/r350-month-covid-grant-too-low-say-speakers-women-farms-meeting/?fbclid=IwAR0oerT3pI5jQ7y4pfyE_devRREAeJHdqMQmyvXVJrRSKFvUYJTH3LPA4B0). *GroundUp News*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250220054828/https://groundup.org.za/article/r350-month-covid-grant-too-low-say-speakers-women-farms-meeting/?fbclid=IwAR0oerT3pI5jQ7y4pfyE_devRREAeJHdqMQmyvXVJrRSKFvUYJTH3LPA4B0) 2025-02-20 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-02-10.

1. Payne, Suné (2020-02-26). ["Farmworker activist arrested in winelands as family of six is evicted"](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-02-27-farmworker-activist-arrested-in-winelands-as-family-of-six-is-evicted/). *Daily Maverick*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240619163756/https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-02-27-farmworker-activist-arrested-in-winelands-as-family-of-six-is-evicted/) 2024-06-19 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-02-10.

1. Maregele, Barbara (2020-02-27). ["Charges against Women on Farms director withdrawn"](https://groundup.org.za/article/charges-against-women-farms-director-withdrawn/). *GroundUp News*. Retrieved 2025-02-10.

1. ["South Africa: Land - Call for Moratorium On Evictions Until After Parly Process Is Complete"](https://allafrica.com/stories/201810260237.html). *allAfrica.com*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20181026110329/https://allafrica.com/stories/201810260237.html) 2018-10-26 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-02-10.

1. ["Farm worker challenges authorities in court over housing. Municipality and province accused of not meeting constitutional obligations."](https://evictionlawyerssouthafrica.co.za/eviction-news/farm-evictions/farm-worker-in-court-over-eviction/). *Eviction Lawyers South Africa*. 20 February 2020. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250220054743/https://evictionlawyerssouthafrica.co.za/eviction-news/farm-evictions/farm-worker-in-court-over-eviction/) 2025-02-20 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-02-10.

1. Slack, Justin (2023-03-10). ["Civil society calls on Parliament to support progressive taxation and halt proposed regressive measures"](https://budgetjusticesa.org/media/progressive-taxation/). *Budget Justice Coalition South Africa*. Retrieved 2025-02-10.

1. Human, Liezl (2023-11-10). ["South Africa: Women Farm Workers Demand Meeting With Minister of Agriculture"](https://allafrica.com/stories/202311100034.html). *GroundUp News*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20231114224547/https://allafrica.com/stories/202311100034.html) 2023-11-14 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-02-10.

1. Harrisberg, Kim (2 October 2023). ["'Double standards': South Africans exposed to EU-banned pesticides"](https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2023-10-02-double-standards-south-africans-exposed-to-eu-banned-pesticides/) (in en-ZA). *TimesLIVE*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240812020703/https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2023-10-02-double-standards-south-africans-exposed-to-eu-banned-pesticides/) 2024-08-12 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-02-10.

1. Daniels, Nicola (14 November 2024). ["State accountability urged amid pesticide-related child deaths"](https://www.iol.co.za/capetimes/news/state-accountability-urged-amid-pesticide-related-child-deaths-f0706e52-5b4e-4768-bb5c-b7ceb1c0b7d6). *Cape Times*. Retrieved 2025-02-10.

1. Payi, Bulelwa (2 September 2023). ["UN official raps SA for continued use of banned toxic pesticides"](https://www.iol.co.za/weekend-argus/news/un-official-raps-sa-for-continued-use-of-banned-toxic-pesticides-4432cd8a-86ff-40d3-95e4-05d41ad01934). *Weekend Argus*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250221005747/https://www.iol.co.za/weekend-argus/news/un-official-raps-sa-for-continued-use-of-banned-toxic-pesticides-4432cd8a-86ff-40d3-95e4-05d41ad01934) 2025-02-21 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-02-10.

1. ["Global Just Transition: Not Just for (E)U"](https://www.solidar.org/campaign/global-just-transition-not-just-for-eu/). *SOLIDAR Foundation*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250218101301/https://www.solidar.org/campaign/global-just-transition-not-just-for-eu/) 2025-02-18 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-02-10.

1. ["Case Study | Exported Toxicity:The EU's Banned Pesticides in South Africa"](https://www.solidar.org/publications-page/case-study-exported-toxicitythe-eus-banned-pesticides-in-south-africa/). *SOLIDAR Foundation*. 2024-02-20. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250323230739/https://www.solidar.org/publications-page/case-study-exported-toxicitythe-eus-banned-pesticides-in-south-africa/) 2025-03-23 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-02-10.

1. Basu, Amrita (2018-02-02). [*The Challenge Of Local Feminisms: Women's Movements In Global Perspective*](https://books.google.com/books?id=eTlMDwAAQBAJ&dq=Colette+Solomon&pg=PT149). Routledge. ISBN 978-0-429-97255-3.

1. Kabeer, Naila; Sudarshan, Ratna; Milward, Kirsty (2013-03-14). [*Organizing Women Workers in the Informal Economy: Beyond the Weapons of the Weak*](https://books.google.com/books?id=1WpjDgAAQBAJ&dq=Colette+Solomon&pg=PT46). Zed Books Ltd. ISBN 978-1-78032-454-8.

1. ["Author: Colette Solomon"](https://groundup.org.za/author/456/). *GroundUp News*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250220055244/https://groundup.org.za/author/456/) 2025-02-20 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-02-10.

1. Devereux, Stephen and Solomon, Colette. (2011) "Can Social Protection Deliver Social Justice for Farmwomen in South Africa?" Paper presented at International Conference: “Social Protection for Social Justice” [Institute of Development Studies](/source/Institute_of_Development_Studies), UK, 13–15 April 2011.

## External links

- [World Food Day 2020. The Future of Farm Workers in SA with Colette Solomon](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CUrzrmURGM) - via [SABC News](/source/SABC_News) on YouTube
- [Nasiphi Same speaks to Colette Solomon, from Women on Farms Project, ahead of Budget Speech 2022](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z96IXm6BwK0) - via [Newzroom Afrika](/source/Newzroom_Afrika) on YouTube

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Colette Solomon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colette_Solomon) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colette_Solomon?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.