The first International Day of Rural Women was observed on 15 October 2008. The Day recognizes “the critical role and contribution of rural women, including indigenous women, in enhancing agricultural and rural development, improving food security and eradicating rural poverty.” It is purposely held the day before World Food Day, in order to highlight the role played by rural women in food production and food security. It is celebrated in the context of the fact that in many of the world’s poorer countries women play a vital role in the rural economy. They are involved in crop production and livestock care, provide food, water and fuel for their families, and carry out other activities to diversify their families’ livelihoods.
This year, at the United Nations, the theme for this International Day of Rural Women is “Building rural women’s resilience in the wake of Covid-19,” to create awareness of these women’s struggles, their needs, and their critical and key role in our society.
Did you know?
- Rural women - a quarter of the world’s population - work as farmers, wage earners, and entrepreneurs.
- Less than 20% of landholders worldwide are women. In rural areas, the gender pay gap is as high as 40%.
- Reducing the gap in labour force participation rates between men and women by 25% by the year 2025 could raise global GDP by 3.9%.
- If women in rural areas had the same access to agricultural assets, education, and markets as men, agricultural production could be increased, and the number of hungry people reduced by 100-150 million.
