Recognizing contribution of women in Sri Lanka towards food security and sustainable economic recovery.

Achieving gender equality and empowering women is not only the right thing to do but is a critical ingredient in the fight against extreme poverty, hunger and malnutrition.

As the world celebrates International Rural Women's Day on 15th October each year, the day shines a spotlight and recognizes the significant contributions of women to global development.

To commemorate the vital contribution of rural women in Sri Lanka, a commemorative event took place in Polonnaruwa yesterday with over 300 women across 07 districts and the participation of high-level representatives including; Roshan Ranasinghe, Minister of Irrigation and Sport; Anupa Pasqual, State Minister of Social Empowerment; Mizukoshi Hideaki, Ambassador of Japan in Sri Lanka; Azusa Kubota, Resident Representative, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka; along with representatives from local government, and civil society

organizations.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Irrigation and Sport noted, 'I appreciate the efforts taken to celebrate Rural Women's Day here in Pollonaruwa, a testament to their resilience to hardships and challenges faced over the years...We acknowledge the grant support provided by

the Government of Japan and other stakeholders through these UNDP led interventions, to support and empower these communities.'

Commenting on the importance of the day, State Minister of Social

Empowerment stated, 'Recognizing rural women on a commemorative day such as today, not only empowers women, but supports to build and rebuild, strong sustainable women's networks... I encourage all present here today to commit yourselves, as you have been equipped with the right

skills to journey on this new path.'

The special event saw the opening of the Gal Oya Green Zone, handing over of the poultry feed production centre to the Gal Oya Green Women's Society, and awarding of membership to the Rural Women's Business Forum, among other activities. These efforts are a result of UNDP led interventions in the field, through the Green Climate Fund (GCF) financed 'Climate Resilient Integrated Water Management Project (CRIWMP)', the Japanese Supplementary Budget (JSB) funded 'Strengthening Smallholder Farmers and Micro/Home-Based Agriculture Industries for Enhanced Food and Livelihood Security' project, and financing from the Government of Luxemburg through UNDP's Funding Windows supported intervention to create an integrated social protection system for long-term...