The Integrated Rural Development Project/TRIGGER celebrated recognized invaluable contributions of rural women to agriculture, food security, and community development. To honor their dedication and achievements, forum "Rural Women Cultivating Good Food for All" was held in Panjakent City.

The forum, attended by over 300 participants, including rural women, entrepreneurs, government officials, and development partners, aimed to highlight the challenges faced by rural women, showcase their successes, and explore strategies for further empowerment.

 

Key Highlights of the Forum:

•           Opening Remarks: The forum commenced with speeches by the deputy Mayor of Panjakent City, the Country Director of GIZ Tajikistan, the Representative of UN Women, and the Head of the Committee of Women and Family Affairs of Tajikistan. They emphasized the critical role of rural women in ensuring food security and rural development.

•           Award Ceremony: Twenty successful women from Panjikent's villages and cities were recognized for their outstanding contributions to agriculture and entrepreneurship.

•           Panel Discussions: Expert panelists discussed topics related to the challenges and opportunities faced by rural women in agriculture and handicrafts. They shared their insights and experiences, offering valuable guidance to the audience.

•           Field Trip: Participants had the opportunity to visit enterprises run by female entrepreneurs in the region, gaining firsthand knowledge of their businesses and challenges.

 

The Importance of Empowering Rural Women

Rural women play a pivotal role in food production, processing, and distribution. However, they often face significant barriers such as limited access to resources, gender-based discrimination, and lack of opportunities for professional development. Empowering rural women is essential for ensuring food security, reducing poverty, and promoting sustainable development.

The forum provided a platform for rural women to connect, share their experiences, and learn from each other. It also highlighted the need for continued support and investment in initiatives that promote women's empowerment in rural areas.

The Integrated Rural Development Project (IRDP)/ Towards Rural Inclusive Growth and Economic Resilience (TRIGGER) is a joint project of the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) to boost the added value of agricultural production in Tajikistan by improving water security and sustainability, enhancing the productivity of selected value chains, supporting market development, export readiness, enterprise promotion and economic policy advice. For further details, please contact: Sharofat Ashurova at [email protected], telephone number +992 987270046.