The First Conference Dedicated to the International Day of Rural Women Held in Kyiv
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A fair of products and services created by rural women was held as part of the conference marking the International Day of Rural Women. Photo: UN Women/Serhii Piriiev.
On 15 October 2025, the first-ever Conference was held in Kyiv to commemorate the International Day of Rural Women. This event was organized jointly by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Ukraine and UN Women Ukraine. The Conference brought together representatives from government and international organizations, civil society, the private sector, and rural women themselves to highlight their role in community development, national recovery, and economic resilience during wartime.
This year’s event carried special symbolism, as 2025 marks two important milestones:
- The 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a global agenda for achieving gender equality.
- The declaration of the International Year of Cooperatives under the motto: “Cooperatives Build a Better World.”
Both milestones serve as reminders that solidarity, equality, and collective action are key pillars of a sustainable and inclusive future.
A Platform for Dialogue, Action, and Support
The Conference served as a multilateral platform for discussing the challenges rural women face during wartime and for developing solutions and partnerships.
“Rural women in Ukraine have demonstrated extraordinary strength and leadership in the face of unimaginable adversity. As the backbone of their communities, they continue to feed families, keep economies alive, and drive solutions to recovery. On this International Day of Rural Women, we must move beyond recognition to investment – in their resilience, their ideas, and their futures. Empowering rural women is not only a moral imperative; it is a cornerstone of sustainable peace and development in Ukraine and beyond," emphasized Matthias Schmale, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator.
Matthias Schmale, as well as Natalka Cmoc, Kateryna Levchenko, and Oleksiy Pinchuk, during the opening of the event. Photo: UN Women/Serhii Piriiev.
During the discussion, it was also emphasized that supporting women who live and work in rural communities should remain one of the priorities for international partners. Their initiatives in farming, processing, food production, and cooperation are creating new jobs, contributing to economic recovery, and strengthening food security.
"Rural women are the heart of the Ukrainian countryside. They are restoring farms, creating new businesses, and providing food for their communities, even when circumstances seem overwhelming. FAO remains committed to standing by them, providing resources, knowledge, and opportunities for growth and development. We also plan to conduct a new gender assessment to gain a deeper understanding of the current challenges and needs of women in rural areas and to design more effective support programmes. By empowering women, we contribute to the revival of rural Ukraine and the country’s path toward a sustainable future,” highlighted Shakhnoza Muminova, Head of the FAO Ukraine Office.
“Across Ukraine, rural women are leading recovery efforts with strength, innovation, and determination. UN Women is proud to stand beside them, supporting over 1,000 women through business initiatives, training, and education since 2022. On this International Day of Rural Women, we reaffirm our commitment to advancing the rights, leadership, and opportunities for rural women. Their resilience is transforming rural economies and communities. With sustained investment, their impact will shape a more equal, just, and sustainable future for all,” said Sabine Freizer Gunes, UN Women Representative in Ukraine.
Sabine Freizer Gunes and Shakhnoza Muminova. Photo: UN Women/Serhii Piriiev
The opening of the event was also attended by Natalka Cmoc, Ambassador of Canada to Ukraine, Kateryna Levchenko, the Government Commissioner for Gender Equality Policy, Oleksiy Pinchuk, Director of the Department of Rural Development of the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine.
Panel Discussions, Workshops, and Fair
Throughout the day, participants engaged in two panel discussions focused on resilience, leadership, and the gaps in access to resources and opportunities. The discussions highlighted best practices in cooperation, market access, the role of the agricultural sector, gender policy analysis, and the specific needs of women in rural communities.
Practical workshops sparked significant interest, particularly those on community cooperation and social inclusion in the agricultural sector, where participants shared their on-the-ground project experiences.
The event also featured a fair of products and services created by rural women. It served as a platform for networking, showcasing local brands, and building partnerships with businesses and donors.
Despite their critical role in agriculture, food security, and supporting communities, rural women remain a vulnerable group, underrepresented in decision-making processes. Many carry a double burden of both household and agricultural work, and their contributions are often overlooked or undervalued.
Yet, in the face of all challenges, rural women continue to demonstrate remarkable resilience, creativity, and leadership, becoming true agents of change in their communities.
Media Contacts
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