Working party on women and the agricultural family in rural development

Annex V. Statement on emerging issues concerning rural women in the European region

CONSULTATIVE MEETING

HERRSCHING (GERMANY), 7 SEPTEMBER 1994

Critical areas of concern

Recommendations on the and/or policies

Classification mechanisms

Political Issues

1. Women's participation in decision making at the local level as a pre-requisite for general acceptance of women's role in the political process and a consequent increase in women's involvement also at higher levels.

1. Youth programmes in schools.

2. Gender issues introduced in teacher training.

3. Political training for women

4. Personal training in:

Both sexes (some gender specific)

- leadership

- public speaking

- decision-making

- work through NGOs

- self-assertion courses.

5. Encourage women to set up or participate in organizations with governmental support where necessary.

6. Introduction of new information technologies.

7. Introduction of extension services at the local level.

8. Compensation for lost income due to political representation (also for child care).

9. Local mobilization of rural women to take part in the political process through the promotion of small interactive women's groups.

II. Propagation of a more holistic way of thinking on gender issues within political systems.

1. Practical research into the present situation with regard to gender issues.

2. Analysis of research results.

3. Synthesis of new policies and activity programmes (based on 1 and 2) to bring about the desired change, for example affirmative action towards creating necessary conditions.

4. The introduction of legislation at the national level to secure equal representation of both genders in all official political bodies (or at least a minimum of 40%).

5. The active dissemination to appropriate organizations and agencies by the UN of information on the general situation of rural women on a worldwide basis, with special reference to legal rights, achievements and problems. The development of the necessary information channels.

III. Women and men with the same level of education and work responsibility do not receive the same wages.

1. Legislation to raise status and wage levels in woman-dominated professions.

Economic Issues

1. Lack of access to land ownership among rural women. With consequent difficulties with regard to economic independence.

1. National legislation which gives rural women equal rights with men regarding access to land ownership.

2. Empowerment of rural women in the commercial sphere through the establishment of national programmes which facilitate and promote basic education and training schemes for these women.

Women-specific with men's component

II. Inequality of opportunity and social independence for rural women, especially with reference employment and access to entrepreneurship.

1. Governmental facilitation and promotion of economic independence for rural to women through:

a) necessary legislation

b) the support and development of social structures which can result in the creation of new job opportunities

Community oriented women-specific

c) the support and development of training schemes, basic education and seed capital for the start-up of small businesses among rural women

d) introduction of new information technologies

Social Issues

I. Poor access to higher education and vocational training among rural women.

1. The establishment of local training institutions and training programmes accessible to rural women on an equal basis with men.

2. The establishment of local advisory and training programmes directed at rural women to increase the level of awareness concerning less traditional career and business opportunities.

Women in the rural area

II. Access to basic health care for rural women.

1. The establishment of primary medical care centres in rural areas.

2. The establishment of a social security system giving rural women access to primary health care at a low cost.

Women-specific

3. The establishment of programmes and systems directed at rural women to influence them to use primary health care facilities.

III. Violence committed against rural women especially in war affected areas.

1. Establishment of shelters in rural areas with a possibility for overnight accommodation.

2. Establishment of local care groups in rural areas.

3. The introduction of stronger legislation against all forms of sexual violence against women and children (forced prostitution, forced sex, etc.).

Female specific and both sexes

IV. Lack of awareness and insight among rural women concerning their possibilities and potential with regard to their role and position in society.

1. Empowerment of rural women in the social sphere through the establishment of national programmes which facilitate and promote basic education and training schemes for these women.

Women-specific

V. Lack of financial compensation to rural women for work caring for family members at home and work on the farm.

1. The establishment of pension schemes for rural women which give them equal rights with men.

Women-specific

2. The establishment of financial compensation for rural women who care for family members.

VI. Loneliness and isolation among rural women, especially young women with small children.

1. The establishment of local social centres in rural areas where women can meet one another and share information.

Women-specific

VII. Rural women's vulnerability in relation to various forms of business transactions involving the purchase and sale of humans, especially small children.

1. Tougher legislation at national level to outlaw all forms of trafficking with human beings.

Women-specific

Previous sessions of the Working Party on Women and the Agricultural Family in Rural Development are as follows:

First session

Brest, France, 13-17 September 1982

Second session

Sofia, Bulgaria, 1-5 October 1984

Third session

Santa Coloma de Farners, Spain, 6-10 October 1986

Fourth session

Rome, Italy, 1 1-14 October 1988

Fifth session

Prague, Czechoslovakia, 2-5 October 1990

Sixth session

Innsbruck, Austria, 13-16 October 1992

W/V4859E/2/9.95/50

Critical areas of concern	Recommendations on the and/or policies	Classification mechanisms
Political Issues
1. Women's participation in decision making at the local level as a pre-requisite for general acceptance of women's role in the political process and a consequent increase in women's involvement also at higher levels.	1. Youth programmes in schools.
	2. Gender issues introduced in teacher training.
	3. Political training for women
	4. Personal training in:	Both sexes (some gender specific)
	- leadership
	- public speaking
	- decision-making
	- work through NGOs
	- self-assertion courses.
	5. Encourage women to set up or participate in organizations with governmental support where necessary.
	6. Introduction of new information technologies.
	7. Introduction of extension services at the local level.
	8. Compensation for lost income due to political representation (also for child care).
	9. Local mobilization of rural women to take part in the political process through the promotion of small interactive women's groups.
II. Propagation of a more holistic way of thinking on gender issues within political systems.	1. Practical research into the present situation with regard to gender issues.
	2. Analysis of research results.
	3. Synthesis of new policies and activity programmes (based on 1 and 2) to bring about the desired change, for example affirmative action towards creating necessary conditions.
	4. The introduction of legislation at the national level to secure equal representation of both genders in all official political bodies (or at least a minimum of 40%).
	5. The active dissemination to appropriate organizations and agencies by the UN of information on the general situation of rural women on a worldwide basis, with special reference to legal rights, achievements and problems. The development of the necessary information channels.
III. Women and men with the same level of education and work responsibility do not receive the same wages.	1. Legislation to raise status and wage levels in woman-dominated professions.
Economic Issues
1. Lack of access to land ownership among rural women. With consequent difficulties with regard to economic independence.	1. National legislation which gives rural women equal rights with men regarding access to land ownership.
	2. Empowerment of rural women in the commercial sphere through the establishment of national programmes which facilitate and promote basic education and training schemes for these women.	Women-specific with men's component
II. Inequality of opportunity and social independence for rural women, especially with reference employment and access to entrepreneurship.	1. Governmental facilitation and promotion of economic independence for rural to women through:
	a) necessary legislation
	b) the support and development of social structures which can result in the creation of new job opportunities	Community oriented women-specific
	c) the support and development of training schemes, basic education and seed capital for the start-up of small businesses among rural women
	d) introduction of new information technologies
Social Issues
I. Poor access to higher education and vocational training among rural women.	1. The establishment of local training institutions and training programmes accessible to rural women on an equal basis with men.
	2. The establishment of local advisory and training programmes directed at rural women to increase the level of awareness concerning less traditional career and business opportunities.	Women in the rural area
II. Access to basic health care for rural women.	1. The establishment of primary medical care centres in rural areas.
	2. The establishment of a social security system giving rural women access to primary health care at a low cost.	Women-specific
	3. The establishment of programmes and systems directed at rural women to influence them to use primary health care facilities.
III. Violence committed against rural women especially in war affected areas.	1. Establishment of shelters in rural areas with a possibility for overnight accommodation.
	2. Establishment of local care groups in rural areas.
	3. The introduction of stronger legislation against all forms of sexual violence against women and children (forced prostitution, forced sex, etc.).	Female specific and both sexes
IV. Lack of awareness and insight among rural women concerning their possibilities and potential with regard to their role and position in society.	1. Empowerment of rural women in the social sphere through the establishment of national programmes which facilitate and promote basic education and training schemes for these women.	Women-specific
V. Lack of financial compensation to rural women for work caring for family members at home and work on the farm.	1. The establishment of pension schemes for rural women which give them equal rights with men.	Women-specific
	2. The establishment of financial compensation for rural women who care for family members.
VI. Loneliness and isolation among rural women, especially young women with small children.	1. The establishment of local social centres in rural areas where women can meet one another and share information.	Women-specific
VII. Rural women's vulnerability in relation to various forms of business transactions involving the purchase and sale of humans, especially small children.	1. Tougher legislation at national level to outlaw all forms of trafficking with human beings.	Women-specific

First session	Brest, France, 13-17 September 1982
Second session	Sofia, Bulgaria, 1-5 October 1984
Third session	Santa Coloma de Farners, Spain, 6-10 October 1986
Fourth session	Rome, Italy, 1 1-14 October 1988
Fifth session	Prague, Czechoslovakia, 2-5 October 1990
Sixth session	Innsbruck, Austria, 13-16 October 1992