West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said Bengal is working for the empowerment of rural women through self-help groups. On the occasion of “International Day of Rural Women” today, Ms Banerjee said, “Today is #InternationalDayofRuralWomen. Our Govt in #Bangla is working for the empowerment of rural women through self-help groups.”
“The scheme ‘Anandadhara’ has been very successful in this regard. We also distribute animals for rearing by them, ensuring their economic prosperity,” she added. The International Day of Rural Women was first observed on October 15, 2008 to recognise the critical role and contribution of rural women, in enhancing agricultural and rural development, improving food security and eradicating rural poverty. As the world faces an increasingly critical need to address climate change, the important impact that rural women and girls have on building resilience is undeniable.
It will take not only leaders, but whole populations to make the changes for a carbon-neutral world. Rural women and girls are leaders in agriculture, food security and nutrition, land, managing natural resource management and unpaid and domestic care work. They are at the frontline when natural resources and agriculture are threatened. In fact, globally, one in three employed women works in agriculture. Women also collect biomass fuels, manually process food materials, and pump water; eighty percent of households without piped water rely on women and girls for water collection.
World leaders have committed to gender equality in climate change policy and response, yet progress has still been slow. On the International Day of Rural Women, UN Women are calling for action to support rural women and girls and grow their capacities to respond to climate change through agricultural production, food security, and natural resources management. (UNI)
