The African Union Commission (AUC) is set to commemorate the International Day of Rural Women (IDRW) 2025 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, under the theme “Empowering Rural Women for Reparatory Justice: Advancing Inclusive and Sustainable Agri-Food Systems in Africa.”
The two-day event, taking place on 14–15 October 2025, will celebrate the crucial contributions of women in agriculture and rural development. It aims to strengthen partnerships and accelerate food security initiatives that empower women in rural communities across Africa.
Key Objectives and Activities
The IDRW 2025 program includes:
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Knowledge-sharing workshop (14 October) to exchange best practices on empowering rural women.
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Main celebration (15 October) featuring keynote speeches, exhibitions, and testimonies from successful women farmers and entrepreneurs.
The celebration will culminate in an Outcome Statement reaffirming Africa’s commitment to gender-responsive agricultural transformation and reparatory justice for women in rural areas.
Strengthening Women’s Role in Agriculture
Organized by the African Union Commission’s Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (DARBE), the event highlights the importance of rural women development in driving inclusive and sustainable agricultural growth.
According to Dr. Janet Edem, Head of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, “Empowering rural women means securing Africa’s food systems and ensuring justice for women who have long been the backbone of agricultural productivity.”
Participants and Partners
The event will host AU Member States, rural women leaders, civil society, private sector representatives, and international partners. Ministers responsible for Gender and Agriculture, as well as AU Commissioners, are expected to participate.
The International Day of Rural Women, first established by the UN General Assembly in 2007, is celebrated annually on 15 October to honor the critical role rural women play in ensuring food security initiatives and advancing sustainable community development across the continent.
For more information or media inquiries, contact:
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Dr. Janet Edem, Head, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, African Union Commission – Email: EdemeJ@africanunion.org
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Ms. Nsama Nsemiwe Chikolwa, Coordinator of Land Policy – Email: NsamaC@africanunion.org
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Source: This story was first reported by African Union (AU). Read the full article here.
