International Day of Rural Women

That the Parliament acknowledges the observance of the United Nations International Day of Rural Women on 15 October 2023, which is an annual observance that recognises the invaluable contribution of rural women to development; understands that women account for a substantial proportion of the agricultural workforce, including through their informal work, and perform the bulk of unpaid care and domestic work within families, households, and communities in rural areas; considers that women make significant contributions to agricultural production, food security and nutrition, land and natural resource management, and building climate resilience; believes that the Scottish Government’s commitment of £300,000 per year until 2024-25 to support women in agriculture, by implementing the recommendations of the Women in Agriculture Taskforce, can assist in removing structural barriers that constrain women’s decision-making power and political participation in rural households and communities, and further believes that women and girls in rural areas globally who lack equal access to productive resources and assets, public services, such as education and healthcare, and infrastructure, including water and sanitation, must be given the support that they need.