Rural women farmers march in Fiaso for International Rural Women’s Day

On October 15, rural women farmers in the Bono East Region of Ghana marked International Rural Women’s Day with a street march in Fiaso. Organized by the Abrono Organic Farming Project (ABOFAP) and the Rural Women Farmers Association of Ghana (RUWAFAG), the event aimed to highlight the indispensable role women play in the country's agrifood systems and national food security efforts. The marchers used the occasion to bring public attention to the essential yet frequently overlooked labour they provide within their communities.

Despite being the backbone of rural economies, the participants noted that women continue to face significant systemic barriers. Leaders at the event highlighted that rural women often have limited access to land ownership, credit facilities, and modern agricultural technology compared to their male counterparts. The demonstration in Fiaso served as a public demand for more equitable distribution of resources and greater recognition of the labour that sustains both local households and the broader Ghanaian food supply chain.

Key leaders, including Esther Boakye Yiadom and Ziem Evelyn, addressed the gathering, emphasizing that empowering rural women is a fundamental necessity for holistic community development. They called for increased self-empowerment among women farmers while urging the government and agricultural stakeholders to provide targeted support. These leaders described rural women as the "powerhouses" of the village, arguing that their contributions must be formalised and supported through inclusive policy frameworks.

The observance in Fiaso underscores a growing movement within Ghana to integrate rural women more fully into the decision-making processes of the agricultural sector. As the event concluded, the central message remained that for Ghana to achieve its long-term development goals and ensure sustainable food security, the contributions of rural women must be matched with tangible investment in their productive capacities and social standing.