Dear Editor,

As the world observes International Day of Rural Women today, we must take a closer look at the women whose labour, resilience, and determination sustain our rural communities. These women are farmers, vendors, agricultural workers, entrepreneurs, caregivers, and community leaders. Yet, despite their significant contribution to national development, many continue to face challenges that limit their opportunities and undermine their economic security.

Rural women play an indispensable role in Jamaica’s agricultural sector. They cultivate crops, rear livestock, sell produce at markets and roadside stalls, and help ensure food reaches our tables. Beyond agriculture, they care for children and elderly relatives, maintain households, and contribute to the social fabric of their communities. Their work supports families, strengthens food security, and helps preserve rural livelihoods.

Sadly, the importance of their contribution is not always matched by the support they receive. Many rural women operate on small plots of land or depend on informal businesses with limited access to credit, modern equipment, training, and reliable markets. Some face difficulties securing land in their own names, making it harder to qualify for agricultural loans, grants, and other forms of assistance. Without adequate financial resources, expanding a farm or developing a small business can become an uphill struggle.

Climate change has made their circumstances even more challenging. Drought, flooding, excessive rainfall, and increasingly unpredictable weather threaten crops, livestock, and household incomes. When a harvest fails, the consequences extend beyond the farm to the family’s ability to purchase food, pay school expenses, and meet other basic needs. Rural women need greater access to irrigation, climate-resilient farming methods, agricultural insurance, and timely information to help them prepare for these risks.

Access to essential services is another concern. In some rural communities, inadequate transportation, limited healthcare facilities, unreliable Internet access, and insufficient child-care services make it difficult for women to pursue education, employment, and business opportunities. These disadvantages are particularly burdensome for women who must balance income-generating activities with the responsibility of caring for their families.

We must also acknowledge the unpaid labour that rural women perform. While their work in the home is essential to family and community life, it is often overlooked in discussions about productivity and economic growth. Women cannot fully participate in development when they are expected to carry the double burden of earning an income and managing nearly all household responsibilities without adequate support.

As we mark this important day, the Government, financial institutions, agricultural organisations, and private sector must move beyond expressions of appreciation and implement practical measures. These should include accessible financing, secure land tenure, agricultural training, better roads, reliable water supply, improved digital connectivity, and stronger markets for locally produced goods. Rural women must also have a meaningful voice in agricultural policy and community decision-making.

Importantly, young rural women need opportunities to acquire new skills, embrace agricultural technology, and develop businesses that can provide sustainable livelihoods. Supporting them is an investment not only in individual women but also in Jamaica’s food security, economic resilience, and future prosperity.

International Day of Rural Women should be more than an annual celebration, it should remind us that Jamaica cannot achieve meaningful rural development while the women who contribute so much remain underserved and economically vulnerable.

Let us recognise rural women not merely for their ability to endure hardship, but for their knowledge, innovation, and potential. They are not simply helping to feed and sustain Jamaica; they are essential partners in building its future. They deserve the resources, opportunities, and respect necessary to thrive.

Carol Walker cjwalker@gmail.com