​27 September 2012 – The United Nations today launched a programme
to empower poor rural women through economic integration and food
security initiatives.

“Accelerating Progress Toward the Economic Empowerment of Rural Women”
is a five-year initiative that will focus on improving food and
nutrition security, increasing rural women’s incomes, enhancing
leadership and participation in rural institutions, and creating a more
responsive policy environment at national and international levels.

The programme will be carried out jointly by UN Women, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the World Food Programme (WFP). It will be implemented initially in Kyrgyzstan, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Liberia, Nepal, Niger and Rwanda.

Women make up 43 per cent of the agricultural work force worldwide, and
as much as 70 per cent in some countries. Often working longer hours
than men, rural women are also the caregivers who look after children,
the elderly, and the sick. In addition, many are small business
entrepreneurs and investors who dedicate most of their earnings to the
well-being of their families and societies.

However, most rural women and girls still face more obstacles than men
in gaining access to public services, social protection, decent
employment opportunities, and markets and other institutions

To learn more, please, visit the website of the UN Women.