The International Day of Rural Women is observed annually on October 15, and is dedicated to the millions of women who live in remote, rural areas. This day celebrates and highlights their achievements and contributions towards rural development and agriculture.
Theme:
The theme for International Day of Rural Women 2022 is ‘Rural women confront the global cost-of-living crisis’
- The theme envisages recognizing the work of rural women in the global food system, and claiming rural areas with equal opportunities for all.
Background:
On 18th December 2007, The United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/62/136 proclaiming the 15th October of every year as the International Day of Rural Women.
- The first ever International Day of Rural Women was observed on 15th October 2008.
Contribution of Rural Women to Development:
Women contributes a substantial proportion of agricultural labour force, informal work, and perform unpaid care and domestic work within families and households in rural areas.
They contribute to agricultural production, food security and nutrition, land and natural resource management, and building climate resilience. Yet the women and girls in rural areas suffer from multidimensional poverty.
Key Points:
i.As per a UN report, approximately 40% of the total agricultural labour force in developing countries comprises women.
- This ranges from 20% in Latin America to 50% or more in parts of Africa and Asia.
ii.If equal opportunities are provided to women, agricultural production can be raised by 2.5 to 4% in the poorest regions and the number of malnourished people could be reduced by 12 to 17%.
iii.Smallholder agriculture produces nearly 80% of food in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa and supports the livelihoods of some 2.5 billion people.
iv.According to a report by UN Women, in 2020, 23.7 billion did not have access to adequate food.
v.Another report by the humanitarian organisation, CARE (Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere), revealed that 150 million more women than men were considered food insecure in 2021.
Commemoration of International Day of Rural Women in India:
A two-day event to commemorate the International Day of Rural Women, titled ‘Confluence of Rural Women’ was held at Kohima, Nagaland. It was organised by North East Network (NEN) Nagaland.
- There, women were encouraged to adopt sustainable farming practices.
About United Nations (UN):
Secretary-General– António Guterres
Headquarters– New York, United states
Member States– 193
Establishment– 1945
