Shea Network Ghana (SNG) an organization of shea sector businesses and Actors, in partnership with OXFAM Ghana, has organized a community durbar at Kpuljine in the Mion district of the Northern Region to mark the 2023 Rural Women’s Day Celebration.
The one-day event held at the Community Center on Thursday October 12, 2023 was on the theme “Rural Women Cultivating Good Food for All” and participated by women and children including chiefs and opinion leaders in the community.
It was organized by OXFAM Ghana and supported by the SNG as part of to mark the 2023 rural women’s day and measures by the partners to promote women empowerment.
Elders of the community sited at the
The WEACT Project Manager at SNG, Ubaidatu Iddrisu, speaking at the event, said rural women were the backbone of the countries agriculture. She also described the women as heroes who toil daily on the land to feed the nation and sustain livelihoods but whose efforts have not been acknowledged enough as they deserved.
“Rural women are the backbone of our agricultural sector, toiling tirelessly on the fertile lands that feed nations and sustain livelihoods. They are the unsung heroes who till the soil, tend to crops, and nurture livestock, all the while cultivating the very foundation of our society. It is these rural women who bring nourishment to our tables and help us grow stronger, healthier, and more resilient” she said
Women seated at the event
“Today, as we celebrate their remarkable contributions, it is crucial that we recognize the vital connection between rural women and our economic prosperity. In the global arena, agriculture is a sector that not only provides sustenance but also drives economic growth. Rural women, who make up a significant portion of the agricultural workforce, are integral to this equation” she added.
Madam Ubaidatu noted that women do not only work to ensure food security, but also generate income for their families and communities. “In many parts of the world, rural women are not just farmers; they are entrepreneurs, managing small businesses, and contributing significantly to local and national economies, their economic activities extend beyond farming, encompassing agribusiness, food processing, and rural tourism” she stated
She drew stakeholders’ attention to the challenges women are facing, and called on them to create enabling environment that empowers rural women to reach their full potential.
“As we celebrate the achievements of rural women, we must also acknowledge the challenges they face. These challenges include limited access to land, credit, and technology, as well as gender-based discrimination and unequal access to resources. It is our collective responsibility to address these issues and create an enabling environment that empowers rural women to reach their full potential. In line with our theme, “Rural Women Cultivating Good Food for All,” let us commit to supporting rural women in their efforts to ensure food security, reduce food waste, and promote sustainable agricultural practices. Let us champion their cause, recognizing that when rural women thrive, they cultivate not only good food but also the seeds of a brighter future for us all” she urged
she also said “In conclusion, on this International Rural Women’s Day, let us celebrate the dedication, resilience, and unwavering spirit of rural women. Let us honor their contributions to our national economic growth, and let us pledge our support for their empowerment. Together, we can create a world where rural women continue to cultivate good food for all, while also nurturing the prosperity of our nations”
International Rural Women’s Day is observed on October 15, every year to acknowledge the contributions and sacrifices made by women especially those in rural communities in enhancing agricultural and rural development, improving food security and eradicating rural poverty.
The day was established by the UN General Assembly in its resolution 62/136 of 18 December 2007.
Source :www.sheanetworkghana.org/Adam Abdul-Fatawu Winizoya-Communications Officer, Shea Network Ghana