Government committed to rural women

The ministry paid tribute to the contributions of the nation’s women, and particu- larly those who have taken on the role of mothers nurturing life within rural communities on the occasion of this year’s International Day of Rural Women being observed today.

Rural women, a ministry release said, “daily leave their mark on society by their hard work, passion and dedication to developing their rural communities through advocacy, agriculture, education, entrepreneurship, religion, sport and other areas of activity.” By acceding to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the release said, Government committed itself to the global struggle to eliminate discrimination women face, and to promote their enjoyment of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights.

Non-governmental and community-based women’s organisations, the release said, have helped Government to implement the CEDAW.

Encouraged by the review of its implementation by the United Nations General Assembly in 2000, Government also pledged to implement the actions identified in the Beijing Platform for Action.

While the Office of the Prime Minister has sought to address all forms of gender inequality through the Gender and Child Affairs Division, the release said, it was ensuring that projects in rural areas provide greater access to economic opportunities and connectivity for all rural residents.

The Cabinet appointed Oversight Committee on Rural Development, the release said, is drafting a national policy on rural development taking into account the most vulnerable groups - women, children and the elderly.

Through targeted policy intervention, the release said, women will be able to access a wider range of quality services within their communities so they will not have to move to urban areas.

Projects such as the Moruga fishing port and facilities, upgrade of the main road from Princes Town to Moruga, construction of a port in Toco and establishment of a Toco to Tobago ferry, the release said, demonstrates Government’s commitment to developing rural communities, while at the same time, preserving the rural way of life.