TEHRAN – Rural women are responsible for half of the world’s food production, while serving as stewards of the environment and biodiversity. Empowering them will secure the future for everyone.
In 2007, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) established a day to recognize the “important role and contribution of rural women, including indigenous women, in strengthening agricultural and rural development, improving food security, and eradicating rural poverty.”
Currently, International Rural Women’s Day is observed on October 15th every year. This day emphasizes taking action to promote gender equality and empower women living in rural areas.
According to the United Nations website, women’s empowerment is a key element in the fight against extreme poverty, hunger and climate change.
Rural women and girls disproportionately suffer from multidimensional poverty. Although they may be as productive and enterprising as men, they have less access to land, credit, agricultural inputs, markets, and high-value agricultural chains, and are unable to obtain low prices for their crops.
Structural barriers and discriminatory social norms continue to limit women’s decision-making rights and political participation in rural households and communities. Women and girls in rural areas lack equal access to productive resources and assets, public services such as education and health care, and infrastructure such as water and sanitation, and much of their work remains invisible and unpaid.
Globally, with a few exceptions, all gender and development indicators for which data are available reveal that rural women are worse off than rural men and urban women, and experience disproportionate poverty, exclusion and the impacts of climate change.
The international day, promoted by UN Women, aims to highlight the inequalities they still face, with the theme ‘Rising rural women: Building a resilient future with Beijing+30’. Insist on their recognition and participation in decision-making. Demand stronger social protection systems. and reduce the digital divide. The commemoration is in the spirit of Beijing+30, a global plan for gender equality focused on eradicating poverty, achieving climate justice and ensuring the full participation of all women and girls in sustainable development. no matter where they live.
Promote their work as food providers and environmental protectors. Invite them to participate in decision-making within their community. Promote rural areas where women have the same opportunities as men.