The Department of Equality and Social Welfare in La Orotava, led by Belén González, has organised a variety of activities this month to observe the International Day of Rural Women, celebrated annually on October 15, as designated by the UN General Assembly in 2007.
The aim is to highlight and acknowledge this group’s significant role in society. Furthermore, the Network of Municipalities for Equality in Northern Tenerife is hosting a roundtable discussion featuring rural women today, commencing at 10:30 a.m. at the Casona de San Luis in Santa Úrsula, where a manifesto will be presented at 12:00 p.m.
At 6:00 p.m., the Municipal Centre for the Elderly in La Orotava will showcase the play “Mujer de la Mar a la Cumbre,” narrated by Mon Peraza and Samantha Moreno, with free admission until capacity is reached. A rural woman is one who lives and works in rural areas, whether through professional engagement in this environment or residing there entirely.
La Orotava boasts a considerable number of rural women actively contributing to agricultural and rural development, enhancing food security, and combating poverty.
This day of celebration and advocacy remains essential as, despite significant societal progress in recognising equal rights and opportunities for both genders in recent years, true equality develops at a much slower pace in rural areas. Therefore, prioritising their visibility and addressing their needs and demands is crucial.
Challenges
The myriad challenges faced by rural women stem from a lack of generational renewal. On one hand, mothers aspire for a more promising future for their children, while on the other, they often wish to avoid the demanding and undervalued tasks associated with agricultural labour. La Orotava is not immune to this generational shift, with abandoned rustic land increasing in recent years. Another prominent outcome of these challenges is the marginalisation or lack of visibility of rural women’s roles.
