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 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 wellbeing 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.
 

The purpose of the day

 It was to provide rural women and their organizations with a focal point to:

1. raise the profile of rural women,
2. sensitize both governments and the public to their crucial, yet largely unrecognized roles, and
3. promote action in their support. Initiative on how to celebrate this day is left to individual organizations and communities, according to their own traditions and requirements. Stress is placed on the importance of activities or events being concrete and visible. This action – undertaken by rural and farming women in all parts of the world on the very same day – strengthens the impact of the day.