“Despite the heavy responsibility rural women shoulder, they lack equal access to opportunities and resources. This hampers their advancement and holds all people back.” UNSG Ban Ki-moon observed. The first International Day of Rural Women was observed on 15 October 2008. This new international day, established by the General Assembly in its resolution 62/136 of 18 December 2007, recognizes “the critical role and contribution of rural women, including indigenous women, in enhancing agricultural and rural development, improving food security and eradicating rural poverty.” At the 4th World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995 it was proposed that 15 October be celebrated as “World Rural Women’s Day,” on the eve of World Food Day, in order to highlight rural women’s role/contributions in food production and food security. “World Rural Women’s Day” has been celebrated, primarily by civil society, across the world for over a decade. Per its multi-year program of work for 2010-2014, the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) will consider ‘The empowerment of rural women and their role in poverty and hunger eradication, development and current challenges' as its priority theme during its fifty-sixth session in 2012. Rural women play a critical role in the rural economies of both developed and developing countries. In most parts of the developing world they participate in crop production and livestock care, provide food, water and fuel for their families, and engage in off-farm activities to diversify their families’ livelihoods. In addition, they carry out vital functions in caring for children, older persons and the sick. "This year’s International Day of Rural Women falls at a time of heightened awareness of the important contribution women are making to social progress.[...] I call on all partners to recognize the contribution of rural women to our world, and to help them do even more for our shared future." UNSG Ban Ki-moon. (UN Photos - 6 decades of Rural Women-work, health & education) FILM REPORT – “Women’s Rights=More Food” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/womens-rightsmore-food/25377 ARTICLE – “Closing Gender Education Gap” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/closing-girls-education-gap-by-ambassador-mo/35742 FILM REPORT – “Gena Davis-Women in Film Production” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/geena-davis-women-in-film-production/25536 By Susan Sacirbey Facebook – Become a Fan at “Diplomatically Incorrect” Twitter – Follow us at DiplomaticallyX