The rural woman is the woman from rural areas, for example from the countryside.
This international day was established to protect the rights of these women, considering that most of them live in insecurity and suffer severe discrimination and violence, which are exacerbated by the effects of poverty, the economic crisis, food and climate change.
Rural women, most of whom depend on natural resources and livestock farming, make up more than a quarter of the world's population. They are active protagonists of the economic, social and environmental sustainable development of the entire planet. In developing countries, women account for about 43 percent of the workforce and many more are available, thus playing a primary role in food security.
Many of them are denied access to health care, education, land control and decision-making in defining policies that affect them. In addition, due to the long distances traveled to transport water and working tools, the living conditions of rural women are particularly harsh, leading to a high index of maternal and child mortality.
Supporting the emancipation of rural women is not only vital for the community in which they live, understanding their essentiality in fostering global development is an important stage in achieving gender equality.
Celebrating the Day of October 15 is therefore a unique opportunity to pay attention to the voice of rural women all over the world. Acting in promotion of their emancipation is a fundamental objective not only for the existence of each of them, but for the progress of the whole of humanity.
Written by Luigi Auriemma