International Day of Rural Women

Women are to be appreciated for the work they are doing in the society. It is important to state the pivotal roles women are playing and holding both at home, offices and more recently political positions. Notably, there are women at the far end of the society regardless of what they are facing, they have held their heads high as well as helping to keep the family together for the benefit of the society at large. The rural women constitute one-fourth of world population which can be alarming if not properly handled.

The United Nation through UN General Assembly in its resolution 62/136 of December 2007, recognizes the critical role and contribution of rural women, including indigenous women, in enhancing agricultural and rural development, improving food security and eradicating rural poverty. This made October 15 International Day for Rural Women’s.

Today being a World Food Day as well, rural women are also the predominant labour providers in agri-businesses and agro-industries. They are to be applauded for practicing agriculture with old tools and modern agriculture equipment in a very small cases. Covid-19 pandemic has been a hard time for the rural women who see their daily income cut off during lockdown but the never give in spirit has been keeping them going.

The Department for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment Agriculture of the African Union is currently leading interventions under the theme “Strengthening the contribution of rural women to sustainable food systems and trade”. The stakeholders should key into that by assisting the Women through organising workshop, buying machine equipment and granting them soft loan they can benefit.

Rural women should be brought together and given the voice to share lessons and experiences that can enhance their rights and sense of belonging to contribute and promote women’s awareness in overcoming emotional and physical challenges that they might face.