This October 15, Paraguay joins in the commemoration of the International Day of Rural Women, a date proclaimed in 2007 by the United Nations General Assembly to recognise the key role played by rural women in the development of their communities. In the country, more than one million women live in rural areas, and their participation in agriculture, food security and the fight against poverty is essential for the sustainability of these sectors.
In Paraguay, rural women not only lead farms and households, but they also drive the economy. According to the National Institute of Statistics (INE)’s 2022 Continuous Household Survey, 407,631 rural women are part of the workforce. Despite facing challenges, such as limited access to credit (only 22% of rural producers have received financing), these women manage 38.3% of the country’s agricultural farms, demonstrating their leadership capacity and efficient management in a sector vital to the national economy.
Empowerment of rural women through education and work
Advances in education are also a positive sign. Of the rural female population aged 5 years or older, 47.7% have completed between 1 and 6 years of schooling, while 32.3% have completed between 7 and 12 years of education. Although challenges persist, such as the fact that 9% still do not have formal education, public policies aimed at improving the educational training of rural women are opening up new opportunities for their inclusion in the labour market and entrepreneurship.
The commitment of the State and civil organisations to these women is reflected in programs to support rural development, which seek to improve their access to education, health and financing. One example is Law No. 5446/15 on “Public Policies for Rural Women,” which ensures that the Ministry of Women submits an annual report on progress in the application of this law, thus promoting policies that strengthen their empowerment.
Celebrations and special events in Pilar for rural women
In the framework of this commemoration, the Ministry of Women has organised a series of events to highlight the contribution of rural women to the sustainable development of the country. On October 23 and 24, the First National Forum of Rural Women will be held in the city of Pilar, Ñeembucú, under the motto “Contributing to the empowerment of rural women for Sustainable Development.” This meeting, held in cooperation with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the “Paraguay +Verde” project, will allow for the exchange of experiences and the promotion of public policies that continue to benefit rural women.
The event will culminate on October 25 with the presentation of the 9th National Report on the Application and Results of Law No. 5446/15 on the esplanade of the Historical Museum “El Cabildo” in Pilar. This event will be attended by rural women, national and local authorities, as well as representatives of international organizations, highlighting the positive impact that public policies have had on the lives of rural women.
A more inclusive and sustainable future for rural women
Female heads of households in rural areas have also been recognised for their resilience. Although 26.2% of these households are in a situation of monetary poverty, compared to 22.1% of those headed by men, the joint work of the State and civil society is aimed at reducing this gap. Strengthening access to education, health and financing is key to guaranteeing a more equitable future with greater opportunities for rural women.
In a statement, the Paraguayan Government said: “On this commemoration of the International Day of Rural Women, Paraguay celebrates the achievements of these brave and hard-working women who, with their efforts, contribute to the sustainable growth of the country.”
