In salute of rural women
When women are economically and socially empowered, they become a potent force for change.
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In rural areas of the developing world, women play a key role in running households and make major contributions to agricultural production. But the inequalities that exist between women and men make it difficult for women to fulfill their potential.
Women rarely have access to the resources that would make their work more productive and ease their heavy workload. Ultimately, it is not just women who are held back, but also their families, their communities and local economies.
This week, we are celebrating our rural women for the excellent role they play in providing food security and yet are vulnerable.
Due to the hard work of women the UN Women had set aside three UN observances that reflect women's key role in development, beginning with International Day for Rural Women on October 15, World Food Day on October 16 and International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, on October 17.
These interconnected issues are more relevant than ever before, as the new Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development has just been adopted by world leaders as the new global roadmap.
Gender equality and women’s rights and empowerment are cross-cutting throughout the 2030 Agenda, with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Goals are intrinsically linked to the lives of women and girls globally, including that of rural women, who are vital to its success.
Particularly the goal to end poverty in all its forms everywhere, the goal to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture as well as the goal to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment.