International Day of Rural Women
A global day recognizing the vital role of rural women in agriculture, food security, and community development.
Date15 October
TopicHuman Rights & Equality
Established2007
Ways to observe this day
- Learn about the stories of influential rural women in your community or country
- Support local agricultural products made by rural women
- Share information about the challenges rural women face
- Support an initiative focused on empowering women in rural areas
On December 18, 2007, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/62/136, designating October 15 as the International Day of Rural Women, first officially observed in 2008, after international women's organizations had informally marked the date since 1995.
The day recognizes the essential role rural women and girls play in agriculture, food production, and ensuring food security for their families and communities, despite often facing limited access to land, financing, education, and healthcare compared to men in the same areas. It also highlights the importance of economically empowering rural women as a means of achieving sustainable development and reducing rural poverty.
UN Women, the FAO, and their partners hold annual events that spotlight the stories of rural women and discuss policies that improve their access to productive resources and representation in local decision-making.
