The International Day of Rural Women was observed on October 15, highlighting the vital role rural women and girls play in sustaining communities, economies, and cultures around the world. The day holds particular significance for Mongolia, a country that has long championed the rights and well-being of rural women on the global stage.

In 1982, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the resolution titled “Improvement of the situation of women and girls in rural areas” at the initiative of Mongolia. Since then, the resolution has become a landmark international document, reaffirmed every two years, with the support of 98 countries from all regions co-sponsoring the latest version.

Most recently, on November 10, 2023, the resolution initiated by Mongolia was adopted by consensus during the plenary meeting of the Third Committee of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly. The resolution once again emphasized the importance of improving the lives of rural women and girls as a cornerstone of sustainable development.

Today, one in every four people globally is a rural woman. Ensuring gender equality and empowering rural women are recognized as essential drivers of inclusive and resilient development. A 2022 study by the World Bank reported that 43 percent of the global population—more than three billion people—live in rural areas, with nearly 80 percent of them belonging to the poor communities.

In Mongolia, the increasing frequency of climate-related disasters such as droughts and zuds has placed rural livelihoods at risk, leading to rising economic insecurity among herders and increasing migration to urban centers. This shift has affected gender balance in the countryside, with only 33 percent of young herders now being women, compared to 67 percent men. As men continue to dominate agricultural labor in rural areas, concerns have grown over gender imbalance and its potential impact on the preservation of Mongolia’s traditional nomadic herding culture.

The international development agenda, including the Sustainable Development Goals, has consistently emphasized rural development and the empowerment of rural women and girls. UN member states have introduced numerous initiatives aimed at improving the living standards, well-being, and resilience of the poorest and most marginalized women and girls in rural areas.

In line with these global efforts, Mongolia’s Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Protection has been actively developing and implementing policies to enhance gender equality by increasing investment in rural women’s empowerment, supporting employment opportunities, and strengthening social protection measures. 

This year’s commemoration of the International Day of Rural Women served as both a reminder and a reaffirmation of Mongolia’s commitment to advocating for rural women and girls—at home and on the world stage.