The United Nations (UN) International Day of Rural Women will be observed on October 15 across the world including Pakistan to recognise rural women's role in supporting their communities.

It recognises rural women's importance in enhancing agricultural and rural development world-wide. Many people, government agencies, community groups and non-government associations celebrate the International Day of Rural Women on October 15 every year.

Television, radio, online, and print media broadcast or publish special features to promote the day. The first International Day of Rural Women was observed on 15 October 2008.

This new international day, established by the General Assembly in its resolution 62/136 of 18 December 2007, recognises "the critical role and contribution of rural women, including indigenous women, in enhancing agricultural and rural development, improving food security and eradicating rural poverty."

In accordance with its multi-year programme of work for 2010-2014, the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) will consider 'The empowerment of rural women and their role in poverty and hunger eradication, development and current challenges' as its priority theme during its fifty-sixth session in 2012.

"This year's International Day of Rural Women falls at a time of heightened awareness of the important contribution women are making to social progress. Women have been rightly recognised for their role in supporting movements for democracy, human rights and peace.

Their contribution to sustainable development is equally significant". Rural women comprise more than one quarter of the total world population. 500 million women live below the poverty line in rural areas. Women produce 60-80 percent of basic foodstuffs in sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean.