The Role of Rural Women in Defeating Hunger and Poverty

There was a time when I didn’t understand why some lived in extreme poverty, while others enjoyed extreme wealth. I didn’t comprehend why starvation and hunger existed on the same planet where obesity paradoxically ascended. In a world that is more interconnected than ever before, with so much technology, intellectual capital, resources, and natural richness—why do we continue to live with such high levels of poverty and inequality?

On Friday, December 16th I walked into the green room of the FAO headquarters in Rome ready to discuss and unpack these very issues. The event was an effort to reconvene leaders, social actors, and change agents to discuss and share in an exchange of ideas around the role of rural women in defeating hunger and poverty in developing contexts.

The Director-General José Graziano da Silva didn’t mince words when he declared that ‘the fight against extreme poverty and hunger will be won or lost in the rural areas of developing countries.’ It seemed fitting, since the vast majority of the 800 million undernourished people on our planet rely heavily on agriculture and natural resources centralized in rural regions.

The event was filled with a wealth of substantive insights, knowledge, and discussions. The shared space provided us with a platform to address the structural causes and consequences of gender inequality in rural areas. We were also able to delve into the main challenges, gaps, opportunities, and collaborative actions for unleashing the potential of rural women and girls.

We got to hear from a myriad of speakers representing a cross-section of global organizations, governments, and institutions. Nobel Peace prize laureate Tawakkol Karman, reminded us that development starts with the pillars of peace and justice. Better known as “The Mother of the Revolution”, Karman was at the forefront of the struggle for human rights and women’s participation in peace building in Yemen. For years she organized non-violent protests that swelled in size and became part of the 2011 Arab Spring movements.

We also got to hear from elected heads of state, like the President of Mauritius, Ameena Gurib-Fakim, who talked about the crucial role played by rural women in Small Island Developing States (SIDS). As a Scientist, former Professor, and a President, she talked about how rural women are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Highlighting that investments made towards women and girls should be holistic and all-inclusive of tangential elements, like that of biodiversity and social protection.

Each speaker approached the issue of poverty and hunger from a different angle, presenting a fresh lens with corresponding policies and programmatic solutions. The UN highlighted the importance of achieving targets under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Underscoring the significance of both: SDG 2- ending hunger, achieving food security and improving nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture; and SDG 5-achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls. Rural women’s empowerment is a powerful multiplier, serving as an essential dimension for sustainable development. It will take actionable commitment from member states, investments in developing economies, access to financial assistance and credit, social protection, and a myriad of other concurrent interventions to reach rural women with effectual solutions. The event reinvigorated my drive and commitment to continue serving as an advocate and Global Champion on these issues. I encourage you to do your part by sharing your ideas or insights on www.empowerwomen.org. Empower Women #empowerwomen #Champions4Change #ruralwomen

How to Get Involved

I encourage you to do your part by sharing your ideas or insights on www.empowerwomen.org.