Anna Nikolenko-Bayeva, head of the NGO "Association for Democratic Development", head of the secretariat of the "Chernihivshchyna 1325" Coalition, took part in the international conference "Rural women: strategies for sustainability and recovery", held in Kyiv.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Ukraine and the structure of the United Nations Organization for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) in Ukraine held the first conference on the International Day of Rural Women in Kyiv.
The event became a platform for advocacy, dialogue, exhibitions and networking, amplifying women's voices, representing their businesses and shaping policy and partnership recommendations.
Unfortunately, the war in Ukraine disproportionately affects women and girls in rural areas due to forced displacement, loss of livelihood, increased care responsibilities and limited access to services. Despite this, they remain key actors in supporting households, food systems and community resilience.
During the panel discussions, strategies for the resilience of women in rural areas, in particular those that will facilitate the transition to recovery and development, were discussed. It was also about best practices and influential initiatives, including the movement to create cooperatives, humanitarian, nexus and development support in the context of European integration.
International Rural Women's Day is celebrated every year on 15 October, recognizing the key role of rural women in agriculture, food security and poverty alleviation.
