International Day of Rural Women 2025

2025’s International Day of Rural Women: A Global Call to Support Women in Rural Areas

Celebrated every year on October 15, International Day of Rural Women is a global event that recognizes the vital role of women in rural areas and brings awareness to the unique challenges they face. From farmers and entrepreneurs to community leaders, rural women play an essential part in sustaining communities and advancing economic development. This day highlights their contributions while advocating for greater equality and support.

Global Recognition and Implementation

The United Nations General Assembly officially adopted the International Day of Rural Women through Resolution 62/136 on December 18, 2007. The day was first observed by the Women's World Summit Foundation (WWSF) in 1995 and later formalized by the UN to underscore the importance of recognizing rural women’s contributions to global development, particularly in agriculture and food security.

The objectives of International Day of Rural Women include:

Promoting Awareness of the critical role rural women play in food production, environmental conservation, and sustainable agriculture.

Addressing Gender Inequalities that hinder access to land ownership, financial services, healthcare, and education for rural women.

Encouraging Global Cooperation to improve the living conditions and economic opportunities available to rural women.

Fostering International Support for policies and programs that uplift rural women and provide them with greater participation in decision-making processes.

Connection to the Sustainable Development Goals

The International Day of Rural Women aligns closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically:

SDG 1: No Poverty – Rural women are key in driving poverty alleviation, particularly in rural areas, where they often manage resources and engage in agricultural activities.

SDG 5: Gender Equality – Rural women face gender-based disparities in accessing resources, services, and rights. The day advocates for closing the gender gap, particularly in rural economies.

SDG 2: Zero Hunger – Women’s involvement in agricultural production and food security makes them essential partners in ending hunger and ensuring access to nutritious food globally.

The Impact and Challenges Faced by Rural Women

Rural women make up 25% of the global population and 43% of the agricultural workforce. However, only 20% of rural landowners are women, and they often face greater obstacles in accessing financial resources, healthcare, and education compared to their male counterparts. These disparities not only affect their livelihoods but also hinder the overall development of rural economies.

Despite their contributions, rural women are frequently subject to discriminatory social norms and laws that limit their participation in decision-making processes, both in their homes and in their communities. Many rural women perform essential unpaid labor, such as household chores and caregiving, on top of their agricultural work, without recognition or compensation.

Advocacy and Resources for Rural Women

International Day of Rural Women serves as a platform for raising awareness and mobilizing efforts to address the struggles rural women face. A wide array of resources is available to help individuals and organizations participate in advocacy efforts, including campaign toolkits and educational materials that encourage dialogue and action.

Engagement and Global Solidarity

Participation in International Day of Rural Women signals a commitment to achieving gender equality and improving the livelihoods of women in rural areas. By fostering global solidarity, the day brings together stakeholders from various sectors to ensure that rural women receive the recognition, support, and resources they need to thrive.

On October 15, 2025, join the global community in celebrating International Day of Rural Women and advocating for policies that empower women in rural areas. Together, we can build a future where rural women have equal opportunities, their rights are respected, and their contributions are valued across the world.

International Day of Rural Women Themes

Year	Theme	Description
2020	I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights	This theme is aligned with the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a pivotal moment in advancing gender equality globally.
2021	Rural Women Cultivating Good Food for All	This theme highlights the essential role that rural women play in the food systems of the world, despite experiencing higher food insecurity and less income compared to men.
2022	Rural Women Confront the Global Cost-of-Living Crisis	This theme focuses on the disproportionate impact of the global cost-of-living crisis on rural women, particularly in Africa, where gender gaps in food security and poverty have widened.
2023	Rural Women Confront the Global Cost-of-Living Crisis	This theme emphasizes the impact of the cost-of-living crisis, fueled by the war in Ukraine, on rural women, and calls for supporting women's access to land, markets, and other resources to empower them and their communities.
2024	Achieving Gender Equality and Empowering Women	This theme underlines the critical need for gender equality in the fight against extreme poverty, hunger, and malnutrition, and stresses the importance of addressing gender disparities, especially in light of the war in Ukraine.