Topic: 2024-Gender Equality in Rural Areas
Country: Venezuela
Delegate Name: Kaitlyn Konyndyk
UN Women
Gender Equality in Rural Areas
Venezuela
Kaitlyn Konyndyk
Forest Hills Northern High School
The United Nations has long recognized the importance of gender equality in rural areas. One of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) emphasizes gender equality, which stresses the need to empower women in rural areas by ensuring access to education and resources. Many specific UN initiatives, like the UN Women’s Rural Women Economic Empowerment Program, have affected international efforts to address gender equality in rural areas. Organizations such as the UN Women and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have launched programs that aim to improve rural women’s access to many things that could better their situation. Despite this, the issues are still pressing. According to the UN, rural women make up nearly 43% of the agricultural force in third world countries, but own less than 20% of agricultural land. They are also less likely to have access to education and other important resources than those not in rural areas. Additionally, they also face higher rates of poverty and gender based violence than non-rural women.
The Constitution of Venezuela (1999) guarantees equal rights for men and women, which includes rural areas. So, gender equality in rural areas has been acknowledged. Yet, little progress has been made because of it. Though, there have been programs like Misión AgroVenezuela and Misión Madres del Barrio that have sought to give women financial support, agricultural trading, and resources. But even with those programs, because Venezuela’s economic and political crises have had little progress, women in rural areas are disproportionately affected by poverty. We have supported initiatives to reduce inequalities in rural areas; however, we still need international aid to address issues and to ensure the sustainability of their programs.
Venezuela proposes a multi-faceted approach to achieving gender equality in rural areas that includes focusing on providing better access to resources, more educational opportunities, and giving women more power in decision-making processes. They advocate for stronger international cooperation to provide funds for community centers and roads which directly benefit women. Additionally, Venezuela advocates for the creation of regional training destinations to encourage rural women to gain skills in sustainable agriculture, technology, and more. Venezuela looks forward to collaborating with fellow delegates on this issue.
