Young Women Lead: International Day of Rural Women

15th October was the International Day of Rural Women, and his year's theme was: "Sustainable infrastructure, services and social protection for gender equality and the empowerment of rural women and girls".

The crucial role that women and girls play in ensuring the sustainability of rural households and communities, improving rural livelihoods and overall wellbeing, has been increasingly recognized. They make significant contributions to agricultural production, food security and nutrition, land and natural resource management, and building climate resilience.

Even so, women and girls in rural areas suffer disproportionately from multi-dimensional poverty. While extreme poverty has declined globally, the world’s 1 billion people who continue to live in unacceptable conditions of poverty are heavily concentrated in rural areas. Poverty rates in rural areas across most regions are higher than those in urban areas.

Structural barriers and discriminatory social norms continue to constrain women’s decision-making power and political participation in rural households and communities.

A new programme called ‘Young Women Lead’ is a 12 month leadership scheme which aims to create a unique and exciting safe space to hear the voices of young women in Scotland.  

Part of the focus of Young Women Lead is to increase young women’s political participation. Young Women Lead will create model Committee sessions and use innovative new media to connect diverse young women’s voices with MPs, the Scottish Government Equality Unit and Parliamentary digital and engagement staff.

The programme will support and empower participants to feel confident and comfortable representing the Young Women’s Movement in giving oral or written evidence to a Scottish Parliament Committee, on issues affecting their lives by the end of the programme. The idea being for young women to become more visible and greater participants in parliamentary business whilst gaining skills to enhance their employability, political engagement and voter engagement.

The programme wants young women to join them in creating this exciting opportunity together. For more information about Young Women Leadership Programme and to apply please visit: www.ywcascotland.org/young-women-lead-leadership-programme/ 

If you support/work with a young woman who would benefit from being part of Young Women Lead, but might not have confidence to apply, please nominate her for the programme by emailing Patrycja at patrycja@ywcascotland.org by 22 October.