Across Afro-Arab communities, the sound of hoes striking the earth and the morning chatter of women heading to the fields serve as a daily reminder of the vital role rural women play in sustaining households, communities and national economies.
Rural women are the backbone of agriculture and traditional economies in many countries. They contribute significantly to crop production, livestock and poultry rearing, food processing and traditional handicrafts. In Uganda, rural women play a critical role in agricultural production, contributing to household food security, nutrition and livelihoods. From farmers and harvesters to entrepreneurs and seed custodians, they sustain both household and national food systems, yet their contribution remains largely undervalued and underinvested in.
As the world commemorates the International Day of Rural Women on October 15, 2026, under the global theme “Building Resilient Futures,” with a focus on Beijing+30, attention turns to the need to strengthen women’s economic empowerment, leadership and resilience in the face of emerging challenges.
The commemoration also offers an opportunity to reflect on the commitments made under the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the extent to which they have translated into meaningful improvements in women’s lives. Three decades later, many rural women continue to face food insecurity, poverty, limited economic opportunities and growing vulnerability to climate change.
According to UN Women’s reporting on the Arab region, rural women and girls remain disproportionately affected by extreme poverty. In Yemen, for example, women face severe barriers to land ownership and economic independence, while many work as unpaid family labourers. These challenges demonstrate how unequal access to productive resources continues to undermine women’s contribution to development.
In Uganda and across sub-Saharan Africa, women’s participation in agriculture does not always translate into ownership of the resources they depend on. Limited access to land, agricultural inputs, credit, technology and extension services restricts their ability to expand production, improve household incomes and build sustainable livelihoods.
The challenges are particularly pronounced among young rural women, who face barriers to employment, education and training. In addition to their agricultural responsibilities, many shoulder a disproportionate burden of unpaid domestic and care work, including fetching water, preparing food, caring for children and elderly family members, and undertaking labour-intensive farm activities. This leaves them with limited time to pursue education, acquire new skills or engage in income-generating enterprises.
Climate change and the growing burden on rural women
In economies that depend heavily on agriculture, the wellbeing of rural women is inseparable from the wellbeing of the agricultural sector. Yet women are often among the first to experience the effects of environmental degradation and unpredictable weather patterns.
Droughts, prolonged dry spells, soil erosion and declining soil fertility threaten agricultural productivity and household food security. When water sources dry up, women and girls may have to walk longer distances to collect water, reducing the time available for education, farming and other productive activities.
Reliance on traditional biomass fuels, particularly firewood, also exposes women to household air pollution and respiratory illnesses. Meanwhile, poverty, insecure livelihoods and inadequate protection systems can heighten their vulnerability to exploitation, gender-based violence and other forms of abuse.
These challenges are interconnected. Climate shocks can deepen poverty, poverty can increase dependence on insecure livelihoods, and limited access to education and productive resources can make it harder for women to adapt to changing circumstances.
Why are rural women still being left behind?
Despite their indispensable contribution to society, rural women continue to face structural and social barriers that limit their potential.
First, limited access to education, information and modern agricultural knowledge prevents many women from adopting improved farming practices, accessing markets and adapting effectively to climate change. Where digital connectivity and literacy are low, opportunities to access agricultural information, financial services and emerging markets remain restricted.
Second, restrictive gender norms and cultural practices can limit women’s participation in household decisions, community leadership and economic activities. In some communities, women have little control over the income they generate or the land they cultivate. These barriers undermine their independence and prevent them from fully participating in decisions that affect their lives.
Third, insecure land tenure and limited access to finance continue to constrain women’s economic advancement. Without secure ownership or recognised rights to land, rural women may struggle to obtain credit, invest in agricultural improvements or expand their enterprises.
Finally, inadequate healthcare, limited vocational training and weak social protection systems leave many rural women exposed to economic shocks and preventable health risks. Addressing these challenges requires more than acknowledging women’s contribution; it demands deliberate investment and sustained institutional support.
From recognition to meaningful investment
This year’s commemoration should serve as a call to governments, development partners and communities to move beyond celebrating rural women towards creating conditions in which they can thrive.
Empowering rural women produces benefits that extend beyond individual households. When women have access to land, finance, education, technology and markets, they are better positioned to improve family nutrition, increase agricultural productivity, strengthen local economies and contribute to sustainable development.
Rural women must therefore be recognised as active decision-makers in local governance, climate adaptation planning, agricultural development and natural resource management. Their experiences and knowledge should inform policies and programmes designed to address the challenges facing their communities.
Article 14 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) specifically addresses the circumstances of rural women. It calls on states to take appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination and ensure their participation in development planning, access to healthcare and social security, and equal treatment in land and agrarian reform.
Translating these commitments into practical action requires coordinated interventions. Governments and development partners should prioritise the following:
– Secure land and inheritance rights: Strengthen the implementation of laws and policies that protect women’s rights to own, inherit and control land and other productive assets.
– Access to finance and agricultural inputs: Expand affordable credit, savings schemes, insurance, quality seeds, fertilisers and other essential inputs to help women improve productivity and grow viable enterprises.
– Climate-smart and regenerative agriculture: Provide practical training in agroecological approaches, soil restoration, water conservation and climate-resilient farming methods.
– Clean energy and access to water: Promote clean cooking technologies and establish accessible rainwater-harvesting systems and reliable water sources closer to homes and farms.
– Education and digital inclusion: Expand access to formal education, vocational training, digital literacy and agricultural extension services, particularly for young rural women.
– Healthcare and nutrition: Strengthen access to affordable healthcare, maternal services, nutrition programmes and information on preventive health.
– Markets and entrepreneurship: Connect rural women to markets, cooperatives, value-addition opportunities and digital platforms that can improve their earnings and economic independence.
– Social protection and safety: Strengthen social protection systems and measures to prevent and respond to gender-based violence, exploitation and other forms of abuse.
These interventions should be supported by adequate funding, measurable targets and accountability mechanisms to ensure that commitments translate into tangible improvements in rural women’s lives.
The Afro-Arab Youth Council’s commitment:
As the Afro-Arab Youth Council (AAYC), we commend the efforts being undertaken across Afro-Arab countries to advance gender equality and promote women’s empowerment. However, much more remains to be done, particularly in enforcing women’s land rights, expanding digital literacy, improving access to productive resources and facilitating affordable credit.
Young rural women deserve particular attention. They should not be viewed merely as beneficiaries of development programmes but as innovators, entrepreneurs, leaders and essential partners in shaping the future of their communities. Investing in their education, skills and economic opportunities will help unlock their potential and strengthen intergenerational progress.
Governments, youth organisations, civil society, the private sector and development partners must work together to ensure that rural women have the resources, opportunities and decision-making power necessary to lead dignified and productive lives.
The future of our Afro-Arab communities is inseparable from the empowerment of rural women. They feed our families, sustain our economies and preserve invaluable agricultural and cultural knowledge. Yet their potential remains constrained by underinvestment and persistent inequalities.
This International Day of Rural Women, let us move beyond recognition to action. Investing in rural women is not an act of charity; it is a strategic investment in food security, economic transformation, gender equality and sustainable development for all.
The author works with the Afro-Arab Youth Council (AAYC).
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