Thread by @teachaboutwomen

Who are rural women? - A THREAD

Discrimination and violence against women continue to be amongst the most widespread human rights violation. Gender-based violence takes many forms and inequality can be structured on different levels and in different types.

Rural women make up 25% of the global population, perform nearly half of the world’s agricultural work and conserve food and culinary practices almost all around the world.

- Rural women often do not have the right to land or to the use of natural resources;

- The number of rural women living in poverty has doubled since the 1970s

- Women who are victims of sexual and domestic violence and harassment are left alone without any kind of assistance or possibility of social denunciation.

They represent 1/4 of the world’s population but suffer discrimination and challenges in various areas; including economic empowerment, participation in political and public life, access to services, healthcare, adequate food and nutrition, access to water and sanitation services

Gender inequality in rural work is an important issue:
- firstly, because not guaranteeing equal opportunities for women is a violation of their human rights;

- Secondly, because we will never be able to eliminate extreme poverty, which is one of the UN SDGs, if we do not recognize that women are over-represented among the poorest rural areas;

- Thirdly, gender equality has an important economic significance. The role played by rural women in the food system has always been invisible to the eyes of politicians and decision-makers.

Their contribution in the fight against hunger is essential but we are not overtly aware of it yet. Understanding this link between women’s emancipation and the wealth and health of societies is fundamental for humanity.