United Nations(UN)’s International Day of Rural Women is annually observed across the globe on 15th October to recognise the role and contribution of rural women in agriculture and rural development, food security and eradicating rural poverty. The day also promotes gender equality and elimination of gender discrimination.
The First International Day of Rural Women was observed on 15th October 2008.
The theme of International Day of Rural Women 2020 is “Building rural women’s resilience in the wake of COVID-19” with a focus to create awareness on the struggles and issues of rural women and their role in the society.
Background:
i.The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/62/136 on 18th December 2007 proclaiming the 15th October as the International Day of Rural Women
ii.The idea of the International day for rural women was initiated in the 4th World Conference on Women held in Beijing, China in 1995.
iii.October 15th, the eve of World Food Day was chosen to highlight the role of women in the food production and security.
Effects of COVID-19 on Rural women:
i.The lockdown due to the global COVID-19 pandemic has increased the unpaid care and domestic works of the rural women, restricted their mobility and affected the supply chain..
ii.The pandemic has increased the vulnerability of rural women’s rights to land and resources.
The contribution of rural women towards development:
i.Rural women and girls play a major role in ensuring the sustainable rural households and communities and improving the livelihood and well being of the rural society.
ii.Reducing the gap between men and women in labour force participation rates by 25% by 2025 will increase the global GDP by 3.9%.
iii.Providing equal access to women in agriculture assets, education and market will increase agricultural production and reduce the number of hungry people by 100-150 million.
About UN Women:
Executive Director– Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka
Headquarters– New York, United States of America
Goodwill Ambassadors(South Asia)– Sania Mirza, Farhan Akhtar
