Op-ed: Honouring Albanian Rural Women

Photo: UN Women Albania/Violana Murataj. Saudita Marku, a beekeeper and certified tourist guide in Albania.

Next time you go to the bazar, to a local restaurant or to an agritourism, think about the woman bringing food for your home, or the one preparing your meal. She is not just the farmer’s wife. She works the land, produces crops, tends animals in the farm, and manages the water. In addition to that, unlike most men, she is responsible for domestic care work.

International Day of Rural Women is an opportunity to pay tribute to these women, and to reflect on ways to empower them, fulfill their rights and leverage their contributions to prosperity. Women are at the centre of the rural economy and their active participation across policies and programs is indispensable to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. This year’s theme for the International Day is “Rural women and girls building climate resilience”. Not a surprise since they often are at the forefront of the struggle when natural resources and crops are threatened by the consequences of climate change.

Globally, one in three employed women works in agriculture. In Albania, more than 50 per cent of active women work in agriculture. The vast majority are not formally recognized and cannot benefit from social protection and pension schemes. Most of them do not own the land and do not have access to credit to become economically independent. Because of that, they are more prone to falling into poverty and exclusion.

The SDGs include a target to double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, by 2030.  While the country has made considerable progress over the years, more focus and resources are needed to support their economic empowerment, including by helping local government units promote their access and control over services, knowledge, assets and resources.

Investing in the empowerment of rural women is not only a necessity, but also a major opportunity for Albania. While we honour them today, let’s make sure we don’t miss on that.