Achieving gender equality and empowering women is not only the right thing to do but is a critical ingredient in the fight against extreme poverty, hunger, and malnutrition.

Women account for a substantial proportion of the agricultural labour force, including informal work, and perform the bulk of unpaid care and domestic work within families and households in rural areas.  They significantly contribute to agricultural production, food security and nutrition, and land and natural resource management. Even so, women and girls in rural areas suffer disproportionately from multi-dimensional poverty.

Keeping this in mind, every year on October 15, SARVAM celebrates the International Day of Rural Women.

This year, the programme engaged more than 750 women in the 40 project villages.  The women participated in games, group discussions, skits, songs and rangolis.  They learned new agricultural techniques to enhance their productivity in farming.

The women were given gifts as a form of appreciation for their hard work and dedication. Many local dignitaries attended this successful event. The participants left feeling inspired and motivated.  They vowed to continue to strive for excellence in their work.  The event was a great example of how rural communities can work together to empower women.