Tapping potential of rural women

STORY 2

Copyright 1996 New Straits Times Press (Malaysia) Berhad

New Straits Times, May 23, 1996

BYLINE: By Muharyani Othman

The economic advancement of rural women in developing countries cannot take place if there is no rural development. Conversely, rural development cannot succeed if it does not involve rural women and take advantage of their potential. Experts around the globe now agree that the best, and perhaps the only, way to achieve sustainable rural development in developing countries is to orientate it towards the people

living in those areas, working with the full participation of women and men. It must be both sexes because in most developing countries, regardless of their culture, women represent a major source of labour and

food production. Yet when one speaks of the economic advancement of rural women in developing countries, statistics show that in reality, one is often speaking of economic survival and poverty alleviation, for 60 per cent of women in developing contries live below the poverty line. One must look at the differences in the living standards of men and women in these areas - the gender gaps - because the numbers of the two groups are not equal, with the number of female-headed households among the

poorest of the poor growing at a steep rate while many areas of the globe are witnessing the feminisation of poverty. Donor countries contributing to the economic advancement of rural women have found that rural development, poverty reduction, the people-oriented participatory approach, and attention to gender differences are inextricably intertwined with the economic advancement of rural women. Aiming at

one entails aiming at all five. The International Steering Committee (ISC) Meeting on the Economic Advancement of Rural Women which took place in Amman, Jordan, last week looked at the problems of rural women and came out with a Plan of Action, while member countries are also to monitor the implementation of various programmes and strategies in the five regions. The meeting, opened by King Hussein of Jordan, was attended by the First Ladies of eight countries including Malaysia, representatives/envoys of five other countries, Queen Sofia of Spain as special guest, delegates from participating countries, and representatives from some 20 international and regional organisations. The organisations include the United Nations, Food and Agriculture Organisation, International

Labour Organisation, United Nations Development Programme, United Nations International Children and Education Fund, International Union of Family Organisations, International Fund for Agriculture Development, and Women's World Banking. Patron of the ISC, Queen Fabiola of Belgium, while outlining the committee's work within the context of the Geneva Declaration and Beijing Platform of Action, spoke of the irreplaceable role of the family in the teaching of equality and dignity for women.

She commended Asia, which, she said, under the dynamic impulse of Malaysia, had set up a regional structure that should enable it to monitor closely and promote action undertaken by the national committees within its huge territory. She disclosed that a directory of associations, mainly NGOs dedicated to the advancement of rural women throughout the world, will be published in August. It is intended to be a tool for increased cooperation between rural women's associations and their European partners. Three main issues were discussed at the ISC meeting - improvement of the quality of life for rural women and their families, sustainable food security, and microcredit for rural women. Rosalie Ouoba, director-general of the West Africa Centre of Economic and Social Studies, cited points which, in her opinion, seem decisive on the level of strategies and approaches, for improving the quality of life of

rural women and their families. They are allowing rural women to speak for themselves, encouraging expression by women and close work between men and women at family and local community levels, and mobilising and improving the know-how of all those who can play the role of facilitator for the expression of rural women. On microcredit, Nina Nair of the Women's World Banking India said the constraints that prevent poor women from accessing available financial services are the lack of identity; lack of assets to put forth as collateral, particularly land; not being perceived as bankable by bankers and the financial sector; and the attitude of bank staff. "The economic role of poor women and their contributions to the national economy is largely ignored by policy-makers and bankers. Less than two per cent of the world's poor have access to financial services other than money lenders. "Therefore, the economic participation of the poor, particularly poor women, must be central in the development agendas of nations. Governments, financial institutions and funders need to adopt new paradigms and take on new roles in building

financial systems that work for the majority. "There is a need to restructure financial systems in order for poor women to gain access tofinancial services to move beyond survival. "All major actors must share

the objective of providing sound, responsive, market-based financial services to the majority in a manner that is advantageous to both clients and institutions that serve them." She said the goal should be to

provide access, not subsidies, and a wide range of financial intermediaries should be encouraged - not forced - to provide these financial services. Intermediaries should meet high incremental and absolute standards on financial performance, client reach and business practices. Such institutions should have the support of policy-makers in terms of supportive regulatory environment, and from funders in terms of capitalisation, loan funds and institutional development support. Nair said in the last two decades, the experience of microenterprise lenders worldwide has shown that poor women are creditworthy. When provided financial services that are tailored to their specific needs, poor women pay market rates of interest and repay their loans on time. They use their earnings to pay off family debts, improve living conditions of their families, and for the education and health of their children. Dr Leena M. Kirjavainen of the FAO's Women and Population Division said sustainable food security and poverty alleviation require a holistic approach. This addresses not only the technical and socio-economic constraints to development, but also embraces the more important human, social and institutional resource capacities in the context of utilising and conserving the natural resource base. She said in promoting food security, it is essential to recognise the importance of understanding gender issues in biodiversity management and support women as producers of food and managers of the natural resources in their living environment. Food security is generally defined as a state of affairs where "all persons at all times have access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life". The challenge of achieving food security is to address the factors that contribute to food insecurity and transform them in a sustainable manner. This means that the required resources must be used in such a way that their capacity to ensure food security for future generations will at least not be diminished and at best possibly be improved.