International Day of Rural Women 2024: Theme, History, International NGOs Involvements, etc.

The word “rural” clearly refers to areas where facilities and rights are limited or unavailable. In these areas, many women face various challenges, including in education, healthcare, and employment rights. As a result, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) established the International Day of Rural Women through its resolution 62/136 of 18 December 2007. This day aims to honour and raise awareness about the significant role and invaluable contribution of rural women, including indigenous women, in advancing agricultural and rural development, enhancing food security, and eliminating rural poverty.

In this article, you can find detailed information about the International Day of Rural Women 2024, including its history, theme, reasons for celebration, involvement of international NGOs, challenges, and roles.

Overview of Rural Women Days 2024

About International Day of Rural Women

In this section, we will learn about an event that recognizes the important work of rural women. The event calls for action to rebuild global food systems from the ground up, with a focus on empowering rural women to produce and distribute diverse and healthy food. This initiative aligns with global efforts to support rural women’s livelihoods and leadership, aiming to achieve zero hunger (SDG 2) and gender equality (SDG 5).

History

After learning about the International Day of Rural Women 2024, it’s time to delve into the history of this special day. You might be surprised to know that the first International Day of Rural Women was celebrated on October 15, 1995, and was promoted and organized by the Women’s World Summit Foundation. Ten years later, on December 18, 2007, the United Nations General Assembly officially adopted the date with the signing of Resolution 62/136.

The theme of International Day for Rural Women 2024

In this section, we will provide you the detailed information about the the theme for the International Day of Rural Women (15 October), “Rural Women Cultivating Good Food for All”, which highlights the important role that rural women and girls play in the food systems of the world. “From producing crops to processing, preparing, and distributing food, women’s work, whether paid or unpaid, feeds their families, communities, and the world. However, they do not have equal power with men, resulting in lower income and increased food insecurity.”

International Day of Rural Women CGIAR Involvement

On this important day, CGIAR invites you to look into initiatives to strengthen rural women’s resilience, skills, and leadership in agriculture. Empowering rural women is key to building a resilient, sustainable food system that promotes innovation and supports agricultural communities’ development to unlock a healthier future for people and the planet together.

Rural Women’s Day Objectives

• Mobilize relevant NGOs and grassroots women’s groups, organizations, networks international institutions and the media to celebrate the Day honoring Rural Women Groups and Leaders and their communities worldwide.
• Raise the sensitivities of participation by rural women during the development process incorporating their needs and rights, focusing attention on such persons and how they can contribute much to sustainable development and ensure household food security and protect traditional knowledge, biodiversity, and peace-building and so much more.
• Raise public sensitivities and lobby governments on the importance of climate change management from the rural women’s perspective and move appropriate actions to support them.
• Mobilize local and national actions every year on the Day by the WWSF Call to action.
• International Day of Rural Women – 15 October also marks the Day when WWSF announces its annual Laureates of the WWSF Prize for women’s creativity in rural life. Prize winners are celebrated in their local communities. WWSF shares yearly the profiles of the annual laureates widely to increase visibility, support and recognition for their work for improved quality of rural communities.

Source: https://www.un.org/en/

Challenges Faced by Rural Women

• Although rural women make up nearly half of the entire workforce, they are not accorded equal rights and participation as their male counterparts.
• They also face discrimination in terms of equal pay, credit, participation in decision-making, access to resources, and livestock ownership.
• Access to quality health services, essential medicines, and vaccines is also very low. Restrictive social norms and gender stereotypes also limit the ability of rural women to access health services.
• In rural areas, women are often isolated and cannot easily access critical technologies that can improve their work and personal lives.

How is Gender Equality Determined?

Gender equality is an important factor in determining a country’s overall growth. There are several indexes to measure gender equality.

• Gender-Related Development Index (GDI): GDI is a gender-centric measure of the Human Development Index. GDI considers parameters like life expectancy, education, and income in assessing the gender equality of a country.
• Gender Empowerment Measure (GEM): This measure includes many details like the proportion of seats that women candidates hold in national parliament, the percentage of women in economic decision-making roles, and the income share of female employees.

Also Read: In detail about the Role of NGOs in Gender Inequality in the linked article.

Schemes For Women

The Ministry of Women and Child Development is implementing various schemes/ programmes to bring women into the mainstream of all the sectors in the country to empower them. The details are as follows:

• Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)
• One Stop Centre and Universalization of Women Helplines
• Swadhar Greh Scheme
• Ujjawala Scheme
• Working Women Hostel
• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP)
• Mahila Shakti Kendra (MSK)

Also Read: In detail information about the Role of NGOs in Women Empowerment in the linked article.

Key Areas of Focus for NGOs in Rural Development

• Agricultural Support and Sustainability: NGOs perform a very important function of supporting and advancing sustainable farming methods, such as organic farming, crop diversification, and water management strategies. They do training, supply resources, and create market linkages to enhance farmers’ productivity and farm incomes.
• Healthcare Access and Improvement: In communities where healthcare infrastructure often does not exist, NGOs have sought to give people access to clinics by introducing mobile services, improving sanitation facilities and supporting health education. They seek to promote consideration for the particular needs of healthcare provision in remote locations.

NOTE: In the linked article, you can find detailed information about the role of NGOs in rural development.

Challenges Faced by Rural Women

Despite the great contribution of rural women, they often suffer several drawbacks that cannot allow them to be competent stakeholders in economic and social activities. Such problems usually emanate from inequality based on gender, poverty, and many other restricted social norms that deny women access and more decision-making powers. Some of the main challenges include:

• Limited Access to Resources and Land Rights
• Lack of Infrastructure and Services
• Gender-Based Violence and Discrimination
• Climate Change and Environmental Degradation

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why is the International Day of Rural Women important?

The International Day of Rural Women is important because it recognizes the crucial contributions of rural women to agriculture, food security, rural development, and community well-being. Despite their significant roles, rural women often face systemic challenges like limited access to resources, healthcare, education, and legal rights.

2. What is the theme for the International Day of Rural Women 2024?

The theme for the International Day of Rural Women 2024 is “Rural Women Cultivating Good Food for All”.

3. What are the major challenges faced by rural women?

Rural women face several challenges, including:
-> Limited access to land and resources
-> Lack of education and healthcare
-> Gender-based violence and discrimination
-> Climate change vulnerability

4. How can we empower rural women for sustainable development?

Empowering rural women requires a multi-faceted approach, including:
-> Improving access to education and healthcare
-> Promoting economic empowerment
-> Strengthening legal rights
-> Enhancing climate resilience

5. What are some global initiatives that support rural women?

Several global initiatives work to empower rural women, including:
-> The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
-> The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) programs
-> The HeForShe campaign
-> The African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD)