Nation observes Rural Women's Day on October 15 to underscore women's contributions

2008/10/14

Nation observes Rural Women's Day on October 15 to underscore women's contributions

Tacloban City (October 14) -- The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), thru Undersecretary Austere A. Panadero called on local chief executives all over the country to initiate simple and fitting activities to celebrate the Rural Women's Day on October 15, thru DILG Memo Circular No. 2008-146.

This year's celebration of the National Rural Women's Day on October 15 recognizes the many contributions of rural women in ensuring food and water security in their homes, community and country especially in the war-torn areas in Mindanao.

The celebration is pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 1105 issued in 1997 declaring every 15th day of October as the National Rural Women's Day, in consonance with the celebration of the World Rural Women's Day.

This year's celebration carries the theme "Ipagpunyagi Buhay at Lakas ng Kababaihan sa Kanayunan Tungo sa Kasaganaan at Kapayapaan." The theme is in consonance with the commitment of the Philippines as State Party to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

DILG suggested the conduct of activities such as hanging of streamers, reading of message to rural women during the Flag Raising Ceremonies, organizing a program that would include sex-disaggregated data on women's participation in local economy and governance, with emphasis on the women farmers, fishers, informal workers and indigenous women; and to be highlighted with distribution of awards or citations to outstanding rural women on their contribution to food or water security and participation to community planning and implementation.

Other suggested activities are organization of trade fairs or tiangge showcasing rural women's group or cooperative products; and conduct of fora or dialogue with existing rural women organizations.

The idea of a World Rural Women's Day to be devoted each year to honor rural women began at a UN Conference for Women in Beijing in September 1995. The International Federation of Agricultural Producers (IFAP), Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW), Network of African Rural Women Associations (NARWA), and the Women's World Summit Foundation (WWSF) were the main proponents of the day.

This was considered a practical way of obtaining recognition and support for the multiple roles of rural women who are mostly farmers and small entrepreneurs. Rural women make us more than a quarter of the world population. They contribute to the well-being of their families and the development of rural economies. Because of their key role in food production and food security, it was decided that the World Rural Women's Day fall on the 15 October, the day before the World Food Day. (PIA 8)

Cabatuan.com - Kasimanwa.com - Austere Panadero