The United Nations (UN’s) International Day of Rural Women (IDRW) is annually observed across the globe on 15th October to recognise the contribution of rural women, including indigenous women, in enhancing agricultural and rural development, improving food security, and eliminating rural poverty.
Theme:
The theme of IDRW 2024 is “Rural Women Cultivating Good Food for All”.
- The theme emphasizes the crucial contributions of rural women and girls to the global food system.
Background:
i.The IDRW was created in 1995 by Civil society organizations at the 4th World Conference on Women in Beijing, China.
ii.On 18 December 2007, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/62/136 and declared the 15th of October of every year as the IDRW.
iii.The first-ever IDRW was observed on 15 October 2008.
Contribution of Rural Women to Development:
i.Women constitute a substantial portion of the agricultural labour force, actively participating in both formal and informal agricultural activities in rural areas.
ii.Women globally make up 67% of the healthcare workforce and an estimated 70% of community healthcare workers.
2024 Events:
Global Commemoration of the International Day of Rural Women 2024 includes,
i.Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)’s “Rural Women, Women with Rights” campaign, a collaborative work initiative that joins efforts, articulates networks, and disseminates knowledge and positive experiences to promote the full autonomy of women in the rural world.
ii.“17 Days of Activism for the Empowerment of Rural Women Leaders and their Communities” held from 1-17 October 2024.
iii.The event titled “Breaking the barriers: Gender equality, water and financial inclusion in agrifood systems in Asia and the Pacific” organised by the FAO in Asia-Pacific on 17th October 2024.
Key Facts:
i.According to the FAO, Women make up 43% of the global agricultural labour force, yet they face significant discrimination.
ii.On average, women earn 18.4% less than men in wage employment in agriculture.
iii.Giving women the same opportunities as men could raise agricultural production by 2.5 to 4% in the poorest regions and the number of malnourished people could be reduced by 12 to 17%.
About the United Nations General Assembly(UNGA):
UNGA is the main deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the UN.
President – Dennis Francis (Trinidad & Tobago)
Headquarters – New York, The United States of America(USA)
Established – 1945
