 Purpose
The day provides rural women and their organizations with a focal point to
Plan to organize an event in your rural community or publicize the day and its purpose. Highlight the contribution of rural women in your local area. Action undertaken by rural and farming women in all parts of the world on the very same day demonstrates a spirit of solidarity and cooperation. Initiatives on how to celebrate this day are left to individual organizations and communities, according to their own traditions and requirements. Activities can be organized independently in different ways according to your local priorities and traditions. It is important that any activities or events be concrete and visible to raise the profile of rural women in the public eye. It is up to your own organization, group or committee to make this day meaningful according to your own circumstances.
Mention World Rural Women's Day in all your publications, newsletters, networks or web site. Include information about the value of rural women's work in all your brochures. Create posters for the waiting room where you work. Put up banners and distribute flyers. Contact your local radio station and explain why it is important that the role and work of rural women is recognized. Hold a press conference, organize an exhibition. Create an award for exceptional local rural women or women's groups. Organize a regional workshop on an issue of specific concern to rural women. Collaborate. Link up with sister organizations, other women's groups for a joint event and to reinforce each others' efforts. For example, convene a panel discussion and invite rural women's nonprofit organizations to present their projects, discuss their needs, what works and what doesn't. Inform local news sources and authorities, such as local extension agents, mayor, city council, local business associations, etc. about what you're doing and why. Organize special events such as a farmer's market, a booth on main street, sell local women’s crafts and food products, put on a play or a show with songs and music. Use the event to draw attention to women's contributions to agriculture and sustainable development in your area. Invite the mayor, local authorities and civic leaders as guests.
RWZ
from South Africa
Rural women, mainly farmers, are at least 1.6 billion and represent more than a quarter of the total world population. Women produce on average more than half of all the food that is grown: up to 8O per cent in Africa, 6O per cent in Asia, between 3O and 4O per cent in Latin America and Western countries. Women own only 2 per cent of the land, and receive only one per cent of all agricultural credit. Only 5 per cent of all agricultural extension resources are directed to women. Women represent two third of all illiterate people. The number of rural women living in poverty has doubled since 197O. Source: World Rural Women's Day Globally, women produce more than half the food that is grown and are primarily responsible for preparing, storing and processing food. In many countries, however, women are the last family members to eat, and their nutritional needs are met only when and if the men and children have had enough. Source: FAO Of the total burden of paid and unpaid work, women bear an average of 53% in developing countries and 51% in industrial countries. Source: Human Development Report 1995 Small farmer groups can increase their economies-of-scale and bargaining power by joining with other groups engaged in similar activities. "The inter-group resource book: A guide to building small farmer group associations and networks" shows how, using a participtory approach, inter-group associations can be established in rural areas. FAO In rural areas the total work day is 20% longer as compared to urban areas. Moreover, women in rural areas spend an average of 20% more time than men working; in urban areas they spend 6% more time. Human Development Report 1995 "If women's work were accurately reflected in national statistics, it would shatter the myth that men are the main breadwinners of the world." Human Development Report 1995 "Society in general, and even rural women themselves, have greatly undervalued and often completely ignored the role of women in maintaining and developing the living countryside with its rich and diversified heritage and traditions." "Women in rural society and especially in farming have always been an "nvisible work force. Too little has been done to fully recognise women's role on farms and in rural communities - legally, economically, technologically and in statistics." "A full recognition of women's role in rural development would greatly contribute to rural prosperity and would, in particular, help sustainable rural development in the poorer countries and regions of the world." |