International Day of Rural Women

October 15 is International Day of Rural Women. On this day, we recognize the critical role and contribution of rural women, including indigenous women, in enhancing agricultural and rural development, improving food security and eradicating rural poverty.

We’re proud to share the stories of some of the women who have inspired us in this work — our partners in the fight for equality, inclusion and progress for all, without bounds and regardless of gender.

A Celebration of Women Around the World, in Photos

We have the honor of working with dedicated, brilliant female farmers, entrepreneurs and artisans all around the world — women who, every day, are overcoming odds, defying limitations and blazing more prosperous trails for themselves and their communities.

When women have access to assets and opportunities, entire communities benefit. Read our blog to learn about seven inspiring women who are transforming their lives and their family's lives.

Why are Women Important in Farming?

Rural women make up?a quarter of the world’s population?and play an integral role in global food production. The International Labour Organization estimates that women make up?41% of the world’s agricultural workforce.

But despite the crucial role they play, rural women rarely have equal access to opportunities and assets such as tools, financing, markets and education.

If women farmers had the same resources and opportunities as men, an estimated 150 million people would be lifted out of hunger and poverty.

Read our blog to learn about the challenges women in farming face, and how Heifer International is supporting them.

An Ambitious Mother Feeds Her Family, Fulfills New Dreams

With support from Heifer Cambodia and her local agricultural cooperative, mother and farmer Tor Pon Louk has launched a poultry enterprise to feed her children and build a better future.

“My family economic status [has] now moved up from poverty,” she said. “I have enough food to support [my] children and have enough money to save. I really appreciated the support I gained, knowledge I learnt and income I generated, because it can support my family [in] getting us out of [the] hardship we experienced.”

Kamala Makes a Living With Mulberry

Dairy farmers in Nepal have historically been limited to subsistence production and inadequate income and nutrition.

But farmers like Kamala are changing this trend.

With support from a Heifer project in Nepal, Kamala has joined a cooperative that helps create opportunities for women, she provides veterinary services for other farmers in the area, and she’s launched a mulberry fodder business to take her enterprise one step further.

Fighting Prejudice: Rural Indian Women Unite

As a community trainer, Chhoti Kumari organizes women into groups, empowers them through agriculture and business training, and helps them engage in collective business.

Tackling these challenges is key to helping rural women like herself unlock their potential. Chhoti is inspiring girls and women like her, encouraging them to overcome barriers and biases.

Seeding a Productive Future for Rwandan Youth

Rural women play a critical role in agriculture, development, food security and nutrition.

And when they have access to employment and the necessary resources to build productive and profitable livelihoods, they are transformative agents in combatting hunger.

“After the training given to us by Heifer, we started thinking on how we can develop as youth and be self-reliant,” said Jean, who lives and works in a rural region of northern Rwanda.

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