The voice of rural women for a sustainable and healthy feature was hosted by the Governments of Italy and Zambia, along with the World Health Organization on March 12, 2018.
UN moderator Nazneen Damji put it best when she stated, “the 2030 Agenda is clear – there can be no sustainable development without gender equality. The agenda’s promise to leave no one behind means that the benefits of sustainable development must reach every woman and man, boy and girl”.
Yet, across all countries and for far too long, rural women and girls lag the furthest behind on every development indicator for which data is available.
Multiple and intersecting inequalities means that rural women and girls are at the highest risk of poverty, food insecurity, and the effects of climate change. In addition, they suffer disproportionately from unequal access to land, natural resources, and services such as healthcare and education.
So what can be done?
Madame Inonge Wina, Vice President of the Republic of Zambia, argues that formulating effective national policies and programs is a much needed first step. She calls for the empowerment of rural women in the agriculture sector, stating that it is “much needed and very timely”.
In Zambia and in many other developing countries, women represent over 70% of the agriculture labor force. Yet, they lack the right to own or control their own land. Not only does this contribute to low agriculture productivity and food insecurity, it ultimately leads to poor health among women and girls, especially those living in rural areas. By formulating effective land policies and reforming legal practices, national governments can consider the prevailing customs and practices while ensuring a healthier future for rural women and girls.
Vice President Wina also spoke about two national programs: The School Feeding Programme and The First 1000 Most Critical Days Programme. The School Feeding programme has been implemented in 54 of the 106 districts across the country. At the end of 2017, more than 1 million children had benefitted from the programme. The First 1000 Most Critical Days Program consists of a wide range of interventions that aim to reduce the levels of chronic malnutrition in Zambia. Specific interventions include educating women and girls about nutrition during pregnancy and promotion of breastfeeding.
Vice President Wina closed her keynote speech by reminding us of the importance of empowering women and giving them a voice. She states that, “any nation that suppresses the voice of women in any matter of national importance sets the stage for a disastrous future for the next generation. May we never be found guilty of this offense”.
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