Rural women of Efate and nearby offshore islands who are members of the Silae Vanua Market Vendors Association celebrated the 6th International Day of Rural Women at Teouma in Efate.
“Rural women are at the forefront when natural resources and agriculture are threatened by climate change, worsening the existing barriers of empowerment and equality,” said the UN Women Vanuatu Country Programme Coordinator, Betty Zinner Toa.
"Climate change affects women's and men's assets and well-being differently in terms of agricultural production, food security, health, water and energy resources, climate-induced migration and conflict, and climate related natural disasters,” she said.
"However, when you give a rural woman a voice, allow her to participate in decision-making power, give her access to productive resources and assets, public services, such as education and health care, and infrastructure, including water and sanitation, compensating her unpaid labour and share her responsibilities, she is fearless in the face of climate change.
"For us at UN women, supporting and ensuring that rural women, have the opportunity to improve their lives and advance economically is foundational for all of our work in Vanuatu through the M4C project.
"Women are powerful agents to address climate at scale. They are key actors in building community resilience and responding to climate-related disasters.
"They tend to make decisions about resource use and investments in the interest and welfare of their children, families and communities.”.
'Rural women and girls building climate resilience' is the global theme of this year's International Day for Rural Women.
The Silae Vanua Market Vendors Association grew out of the UN Women's Market for Change (M4C) Programme.
Photo supplied Caption: Women dancing during the celebration