Forgotten Rural Women: The Unseen Struggle
Mongolia Leads UN Resolution To Highlight Plight of Rural Women
Mongolia recently played a key role in shepherding a United Nations resolution that aims to draw attention to the challenges faced by women living in remote rural areas. This resolution was passed with overwhelming support, as 98 nations signed on to show their commitment to addressing the issues faced by rural women.
The UN resolution is an important step in recognizing the plight of rural women, but it is clear that high-minded resolutions alone will not solve the problems that these women face. Statistics show that nearly 25% of women worldwide live in underserved rural regions, and they experience higher rates of poverty, limited access to infrastructure, and fewer economic opportunities compared to their urban counterparts.
Empowering rural women is not just a moral imperative, but also a critical component of achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. However, despite this recognition, aid and investments to support rural areas are still falling short.
While the UN resolution acknowledges the resilience and strength of rural women, it is important to note that resilience is needed to endure struggles, not to accept them as permanent conditions. Tangible support such as microloans, job training programs, and investments in infrastructure are required to drive real change and improve the circumstances of rural women.
The resolution calls for the inclusion of rural women in policy-making and discussions, which is a step in the right direction. However, it is essential for governments to actively seek out the input of rural women and demonstrate with actions, not just words, that rural challenges are being taken seriously.
It is commendable that Mongolia has brought attention to this issue and rallied international support. However, it is crucial for political leaders to go beyond rhetoric and ensure that tangible steps are taken to address rural marginalization. Real change is needed, and the lives of millions of rural women depend on it. Let’s hope that this UN resolution will not be just another document that fails to drive meaningful change.
