New Zealand to celebrate World Rural Women's Day

Thu, 7 Oct 2004

New Zealand to celebrate World Rural Women's Day

Rural Women throughout New Zealand will be taking time out from their labours to celebrate World Rural Women's day on 15 October 2004.

This internationally-recognised day is dedicated each year to honoring the substantial contribution that rural women make to farm output and maintaining the social fabric of rural communities.

Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) President, Sherrill Dackers says that rural women of all kinds are an integral part of the rural sector.

"The major area of contribution, that often goes unnoticed, is the level of voluntary work done by women to uphold the social infrastructure in rural areas," she says. The target of policy is dominantly on agricultural production, leaving the social aspects of rural communities largely undervalued.

"Women are engaged in all manner of political and practical activities, particularly in the areas of rural health and education that are no longer adequately supported by central and local government.

"Without the work, support and talent offered by women, New Zealand's rural economy would not be as successful or profitable as it is," Mrs Dackers says.

Rural Women's day provides an opportunity to celebrate the contribution and diversity of women on the land, with RWNZ members staging events throughout the country.

For details of events in various regions, see the calendar on www.ruralwomen.org

ENDS

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