The International Day of Rural Women
Rural Development and Land Reform Deputy Minister Candith Mashego-Dlamini has paid tribute to rural women’s efforts in increasing food security, but warned that more was needed to improve their lives.
In a statement marking International Day of Rural Women – 15 October - Mashego-Dlamini said rural women needed to have secure long-term access or ownership to land, if they were to be in the forefront of eradicating rural poverty.
“Rural women face a number of challenges – they are affected disproportionately by poverty, unemployment and diseases,” she added.
The International Day of Rural Women was established by the United Nations in 2007 and recognises the role rural women play in rural development through fighting poverty by enhancing food security.
It is commonly accepted that rural women are key agents for achieving the transformational economic, environmental and social changes required for sustainable development.
The world over, rural women play a role in food security and creating sustainable rural areas yet they do not have sufficient power to secure land in many instances or vital resources such as credit, inputs costs of farming, extension services, training and education.
But Mashego-Dlamini says unless women have full access to land, obstacles to fighting rural poverty and underdevelopment will stagnate.
Rural women play a critical role in the rural economies for both developed and developing countries.
“In most parts of rural South Africa, they participate in crop production and livestock care, provide food, water and fuel for their families, and engage in off-farm activities to diversify their families’ livelihoods,” said Mashego-Dlamini.
The Deputy Minister added: “Maximum benefits can be achieved when farmers have secure rights to land and know they will have long-term ownership of the land, and are able to keep the profits.”
Contact:
Linda Page
Tel: 012 312 8502
Cell: 083 460 4482
Sivuyile Mangxamba
Tel: 012 312 8881
Cell: 071 334 2915
