Origins - World Rural Women's Day

What would tomorrow look like if 85% of national political leaders were female instead of male? Would the priorities of France , China , or the United States , for example, be different if these countries were governed by as many women as men? A heightened participation of women in decision making roles would undoubtedly have an impact on public policy. Perhaps it would allow women in every country the same basic rights as men. Perhaps it would lead to an increase in women’s incomes or a greater quality of life for all marginalised groups. A greater participation of women in leadership positions could strengthen economies, accelerate development, and improve social programs, resulting in increased benefits for all.

The future benefits of women’s involvement in leadership positions will not be realized without considerable global effort. Although women’s representation in decision making roles has improved, women are still under represented in every country of the world. This under representation does not exclude rural areas. In fact, rural women are often more disadvantaged and isolated than their urban counterparts. In reaction to this situation, World Rural Women’s Day 2006 concentrates on implementing strategies today that will enable rural women to become the leaders of tomorrow.

Today’s rural woman, like her ancestors, is often an unrecognized leader – a primary producer of food, the pillar of her family, and a champion of sustainable development. However, she is faced with considerable deterrents from participating in recognized leadership positions. She has limited time and information, scarce finances, and faces significant cultural barriers. World Rural Women’s Day 2006 makes recommendations for rural women’s groups, governments, and farmer organisations in five main areas - identity, interaction, information, independence, and influence - to help rural women overcome these deterrents and acquire the recognition and status they deserve.

Societal expectations often cause women to believe they have to choose between having a family - being a “good mother”- and obtaining a time consuming career, the career being a popular entrance point into leadership positions. The majority of men do not face this same dilemma. On top of this, many societies hold the ideal that the political arena is not the place for a woman. Women would need a lot of confidence to disregard this societal disapproval and motivate support from family, friends, and peers.

Confidence is one trait that is very difficult to obtain without a strong base. On a global basis, women have less access to education than men and face higher rates of poverty. They suffer from more acts of violence and have less autonomy over their own health. All of these facts contribute to a woman’s well being, her identity, and thus her ability to participate in decision making positions. In order for rural women to become leaders they must be given the opportunity to fulfil their potentials.

o Rural Women’s groups’ possibilities for action:

I. Implement training programs to build women’s self-esteem and leadership capabilities, and overcome certain gender-related barriers.

II. Implement programs that support women’s rights and access to basic resources, such as health care and education.

III. Initiate media campaigns to sensitize both men and women on two issues, (1) the importance and contribution of rural women to rural life, and (2) the importance of women’s participation in leadership.

IV. Lobby the government for family friendly legislation so that women and men do not have to choose between family and a career.

o Farmers’ Organisations’ strategies:

I. Implement training programs in two areas: gender issues and leadership.

II. Implement a gender focus in all areas of operations

III. Implement family friendly policies.

o Government responsibilities:

I Offer financial support to women’s organisations working on women’s rights, providing financial services and capacity building programs, and/or promoting women’s health.

II. Implement a gender focus in its structure

III. Provide financial incentives for the private sector and civil society to adopt gender strategies, including family friendly initiatives.

Leadership positions have traditionally been filled by men and as a result, the political culture is dominated by male networks and a male approach. In order to overcome this male dominated political culture and gain the support necessary to secure a political position, rural women need to build networks with other women’s groups and rural organisations, a feat accomplished through interaction.

Recommendations

o Rural Women’s groups’ possibilities for action:

I. Form partnerships with women’s groups involved in other fields of activities, for example, commerce, arts, health etc.

II. Involve members in the activities of schools and agricultural organisations.

III. Initiate collaborations on specific issues, for example, children’s health or violence towards women.

o Farmers’ Organisations strategies:

I. Form partnerships with rural women’s groups

II.Create a database of rural women to encourage their interaction

o Government responsibilities:

I. Create a mentorship program for women leaders

Information

Women often have limited access to two types of information necessary to involve themselves in leadership positions: information about essential issues, and information about how to get involved. Traditional channels of information, such as newspapers may not reach rural women due to distribution costs in rural areas, and a much more serious problem, illiteracy. Illiteracy is a problem more prevalent in women than in men. Moreover, information that is accessible to rural women may not provoke interest as it may not be directly linked to their concerns. Knowledgeable and motivated rural women are often disadvantaged in comparison to men in terms of gaining information about political opportunities because they lack comparable political networks.

I. Initiate media campaigns to: (1) highlight issues of importance to rural women, and (2) inform rural women about pressing political issues. Campaigns should use various forms of media to ensure information has a wide reach.

III. Provide access to different forms of communications such as the internet, local newspapers, magazines

III. Set up programes to eradicate illiteracy amongst adults and impose acces to schools for both boys and girls.

Without financial independence, women do not have the time, the self-esteem, or the status to participate in leadership positions. On average, rural women have lower incomes than men and often have worse access to credit and land.

III. Help rural women develop women’s brands and women’s cooperatives to increase rural women’s incomes.

I. Offer training to women in production techniques, marketing, and business management to improve their incomes.

II.Reform laws so that women have equal access to economic assets such as land and other resources

I. Implement a system that guarantees the participation of women in leadership positions and revise election procedures if necessary

I. Implement minimum proportion laws, or reserve places in leadership positions for women.

II. Provide financial incentives for organisations and businesses to include a certain percentage of women within their establishments and within their executive committees.

Rural women, governments, and farmers’ organisations all have a part to play in implementing our recommended strategies. They all have a role in enabling rural women, our unrecognized leaders of today, to become recognized leaders of tomorrow. Please celebrate World Rural Women’s Day 2006 with us on October 15.



*Origin* *Events* *Archive* *Proclamations*		RURAL WOMEN’S RECOMMENDATIONS « Rural Women: Leaders of Tomorrow » What would tomorrow look like if 85% of national political leaders were female instead of male? Would the priorities of France , China , or the United States , for example, be different if these countries were governed by as many women as men? A heightened participation of women in decision making roles would undoubtedly have an impact on public policy. Perhaps it would allow women in every country the same basic rights as men. Perhaps it would lead to an increase in women’s incomes or a greater quality of life for all marginalised groups. A greater participation of women in leadership positions could strengthen economies, accelerate development, and improve social programs, resulting in increased benefits for all. The future benefits of women’s involvement in leadership positions will not be realized without considerable global effort. Although women’s representation in decision making roles has improved, women are still under represented in every country of the world. This under representation does not exclude rural areas. In fact, rural women are often more disadvantaged and isolated than their urban counterparts. In reaction to this situation, World Rural Women’s Day 2006 concentrates on implementing strategies today that will enable rural women to become the leaders of tomorrow. Today’s rural woman, like her ancestors, is often an unrecognized leader – a primary producer of food, the pillar of her family, and a champion of sustainable development. However, she is faced with considerable deterrents from participating in recognized leadership positions. She has limited time and information, scarce finances, and faces significant cultural barriers. World Rural Women’s Day 2006 makes recommendations for rural women’s groups, governments, and farmer organisations in five main areas - identity, interaction, information, independence, and influence - to help rural women overcome these deterrents and acquire the recognition and status they deserve. Identity Before rural women can represent societal interests in leadership positions, rural women must be recognized as leaders, not only by society, but also by themselves. This recognition is hindered by a universal norm that values women as caregivers rather than leaders, and by rural women’s limited access to opportunity. Societal expectations often cause women to believe they have to choose between having a family - being a “good mother”- and obtaining a time consuming career, the career being a popular entrance point into leadership positions. The majority of men do not face this same dilemma. On top of this, many societies hold the ideal that the political arena is not the place for a woman. Women would need a lot of confidence to disregard this societal disapproval and motivate support from family, friends, and peers. Confidence is one trait that is very difficult to obtain without a strong base. On a global basis, women have less access to education than men and face higher rates of poverty. They suffer from more acts of violence and have less autonomy over their own health. All of these facts contribute to a woman’s well being, her identity, and thus her ability to participate in decision making positions. In order for rural women to become leaders they must be given the opportunity to fulfil their potentials. Recommendations o Rural Women’s groups’ possibilities for action: I. Implement training programs to build women’s self-esteem and leadership capabilities, and overcome certain gender-related barriers. II. Implement programs that support women’s rights and access to basic resources, such as health care and education. III. Initiate media campaigns to sensitize both men and women on two issues, (1) the importance and contribution of rural women to rural life, and (2) the importance of women’s participation in leadership. IV. Lobby the government for family friendly legislation so that women and men do not have to choose between family and a career. o Farmers’ Organisations’ strategies: I. Implement training programs in two areas: gender issues and leadership. II. Implement a gender focus in all areas of operations III. Implement family friendly policies. o Government responsibilities: I Offer financial support to women’s organisations working on women’s rights, providing financial services and capacity building programs, and/or promoting women’s health. II. Implement a gender focus in its structure III. Provide financial incentives for the private sector and civil society to adopt gender strategies, including family friendly initiatives. Interaction Leadership positions have traditionally been filled by men and as a result, the political culture is dominated by male networks and a male approach. In order to overcome this male dominated political culture and gain the support necessary to secure a political position, rural women need to build networks with other women’s groups and rural organisations, a feat accomplished through interaction. Recommendations o Rural Women’s groups’ possibilities for action: I. Form partnerships with women’s groups involved in other fields of activities, for example, commerce, arts, health etc. II. Involve members in the activities of schools and agricultural organisations. III. Initiate collaborations on specific issues, for example, children’s health or violence towards women. o Farmers’ Organisations strategies: I. Form partnerships with rural women’s groups II.Create a database of rural women to encourage their interaction o Government responsibilities: I. Create a mentorship program for women leaders Information Women often have limited access to two types of information necessary to involve themselves in leadership positions: information about essential issues, and information about how to get involved. Traditional channels of information, such as newspapers may not reach rural women due to distribution costs in rural areas, and a much more serious problem, illiteracy. Illiteracy is a problem more prevalent in women than in men. Moreover, information that is accessible to rural women may not provoke interest as it may not be directly linked to their concerns. Knowledgeable and motivated rural women are often disadvantaged in comparison to men in terms of gaining information about political opportunities because they lack comparable political networks. Recommendations o Rural Women’s groups possibilities for action: I. Initiate media campaigns to: (1) highlight issues of importance to rural women, and (2) inform rural women about pressing political issues. Campaigns should use various forms of media to ensure information has a wide reach. II. Implement programs for literacy and use of new communication technologies III. Provide access to different forms of communications such as the internet, local newspapers, magazines o Farmers organisations’ strategies: I. Publicize opportunities for involvement in media available to women. II. Advertise seminars or information sessions on issues of interest to women III. Include issues of interest to women in focal areas. IV.Ensure the fortification of women in all working groups/committees o Governments responsibilities: I. Advertise political opportunities using channels available to women. II.Offer workshops for rural women to improve their political involvement. III. Set up programes to eradicate illiteracy amongst adults and impose acces to schools for both boys and girls. Independence Without financial independence, women do not have the time, the self-esteem, or the status to participate in leadership positions. On average, rural women have lower incomes than men and often have worse access to credit and land. Recommendations o Rural Women’s groups’ possibilities for action: I. Implement training programs in financial planning II. Help women gain access to credit and other resources. III. Help rural women develop women’s brands and women’s cooperatives to increase rural women’s incomes. o Farmers’ Organisations’ strategies: I. Offer training to women in production techniques, marketing, and business management to improve their incomes. II. Help women gain access to credit and land. III.Market women’s products and include women in market-oriented activities. o Government responsibilities: I. Support programs designed to increase women’s incomes. II.Reform laws so that women have equal access to economic assets such as land and other resources Influence As stated earlier, women are grossly underrepresented in leadership positions on a global basis. Previous recommendations serve as long term strategies to remedy this situation. However, a short term strategy is also necessary in order to involve more women in leadership positions now. This short term strategy implies using voluntary and legal mechanisms of influence. Recommendations o Rural women’s groups possibilities for action: I. Lobby local governments for minimum proportion requirements (quotas). o Farmers’ Organisations strategies: I. Implement a system that guarantees the participation of women in leadership positions and revise election procedures if necessary o Governments responsibilities: I. Implement minimum proportion laws, or reserve places in leadership positions for women. II. Provide financial incentives for organisations and businesses to include a certain percentage of women within their establishments and within their executive committees. Rural women, governments, and farmers’ organisations all have a part to play in implementing our recommended strategies. They all have a role in enabling rural women, our unrecognized leaders of today, to become recognized leaders of tomorrow. Please celebrate World Rural Women’s Day 2006 with us on October 15. Our actions today will open the path for a new tomorrow