Rural Women's Day 2024! What's at stake? By Mabi Azefor Fominyen

October 15, is often celebrated as the World Rural Women's Day. The International Day of Rural Women was created by the United Nations General Assembly with the aim of highlighting the role and situation of Women in rural areas. 

October 15, 2024 thus celebrates the pivotal role of rural Women in agriculture and food security. 

According to the Pan African Farmers ' Organisation ( (PAFO), Rural Women make up to 40% of the global agricultural workforce and they process 80% of agricultural products in Africa.  

This points to the essential role that rural women play in different communities in the domain of agriculture and the economy.

How then can we all support these women to overcome the numerous challenges and barriers that they continue to face in their quest to meaningfully contribute towards food security?  These challenges include; land resources; many lack access to farm land while others are limited by certain traditional norms and practices from owning land resources.Finance is still a challenge as well as the lack of seeds, farming equipment and technology.

These are just a few of the issues that rural women deal with in many communities worldwide. 

The world therefore needs to continue to support women by improving access to agricultural and financial resources, encourage their participation in strategic decision- making processes, strengthen their leadership capabilities through training and by building a more productive,  inclusive and equitable future for rural women,  where everyone feels empowered and ready to carry forward with the crucial role they play worldwide.  

Happy Rural Women 's Day 2024!