INTERNATIONAL DAY OF RURAL WOMEN BY JESSIE TAYLOR
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large population of South African women live and work in rural communities. While these women have an essential role in supporting their families and driving local economies, they also face numerous challenges. To eliminate poverty and create economic empowerment, uplifting rural women must be a top priority for government and civil society. Internationally, around 40% of all women live in rural
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areas. According to World Bank estimates, in South Africa, around a third of the population live in rural areas. And while the country is rapidly urbanising, the legacy of apartheid spatial planning has still left its mark in rural areas. Segregated economic development during colonialism and apartheid led to a focusing of resources on metropolitan areas, often at the expense of rural and township communities. Barriers facing rural women Because women in rural areas are often employed in agriculture and similar enterprises, their work is essential to the country’s economic growth. Yet,
