EMPOWER RURAL WOMEN – END HUNGER AND POVERTY

Recognizing the critical role and contribution of rural women, the theme of United Nation International Women's Day 2012 is Empower Rural Women – End Hunger and Poverty.

Key contributors to global economies, rural women play a critical role in both developed and developing nations — they enhance agricultural and rural development, improve food security and can help reduce poverty levels in their communities. In some parts of the world, women represent 70 percent of the agricultural workforce, comprising 43 percent of agricultural workers worldwide.

Estimates reveal that if women had the same access to productive resources as men, they could increase yields on their farms by 20–30 percent, lifting 100-150 million out of hunger.

Healthcare, education, gender inequality and limited access to credit, however, have posed a number of challenges for rural women. Further, the global food and economic crisis and climate change have aggravated the situation. It is estimated that 60 percent of chronically hungry people are women and girls. Yet, the Food and Agriculture Organization estimates reveal that productivity gains from ensuring equal access to fertilizers, seeds and tools for women could reduce the number of hungry people by between 100 million and 150 million.

Source: http://www.un.org/en/africarenewal/special-edition-women/index.html

You can also download the Africa Renewal Special Edition on Women Issues http://www.un.org/en/africarenewal/special-edition-women/Africa-Renewal-Womens-Issue-2012-en.pdf

Some of the headings of articles in that edition makes great topics for prayer:

• African women’s long walk to freedom - some gains, but an uphill climb still looms
• African women are ready to lead - but social beliefs and attitudes hinder their quest
• Investing in the health of Africa’s mothers - lacking care, too many women do not survive childbirth
• In Africa, AIDS often has a woman’s face - knowledge, power and resources needed to combat the scourge
• Does financing benefit African women? - new initiatives to track the gender impact of development funds
• Women struggle to secure land rights - hard fight for access and decision-making power
  

Cover the women of the world with you prayers. Read about them and use the information to intercede for them. Trust the Lord for a breakthrough as you pray.

When Jesus saw her, He called her forward and said to her, "Woman, you are set free from your infirmity." Luke 13:12