International Day of Rural Women is a United Nations observance on October 15 of every year. The first International Day of Rural Women was observed on 15 October 2008. This international day, established by the General Assembly in its resolution 62/136 of 18 December 2007, recognizes “the critical role and contribution of rural women, including indigenous women, in enhancing agricultural and rural development, improving food security and eradicating rural poverty.” Women and rural development Women are responsible for half of the world’s food production while working as environmental and biodiversity stewards. Even so, women and girls in rural areas suffer disproportionately from multi-dimensional poverty. They may be as productive and enterprising as their male counterparts but are less able to access land, credit, agricultural inputs, markets, and high-value agrifood chains and obtain lower prices for their crops. Structural barriers and discriminatory social norms continue to constrain women’s decision-making power and political participation in rural households and communities. Women and girls in rural areas lack equal access to productive resources and assets, public services, such as education and health care, and infrastructure, including water and sanitation, while much of their labour remains invisible and unpaid. Globally, with few exceptions, every gender and development indicator for which data are available reveals that rural women fare worse than rural men and urban women and that they disproportionately experience poverty, exclusion, and the effects of climate change. Theme for 2026 The theme of 2026 International Day of Rural Women is “Rural Women Farmers Caring for Mother Nature”. It honors the work rural women do every day: conserving seeds, protecting biodiversity, managing water, and restoring degraded land. They feed communities, sustain livelihoods, and safeguard the natural resources on which we all depend. On this day, we celebrate their knowledge and leadership in building a more resilient future. Let’s promote their work as food providers and protectors of the environment. Let’s demand their participation in decision-making within their communities. Let’s promote rural areas where women can have the same opportunities as men. Globally, women make up close to 40% of the agricultural labor force (2023), reaching over 50% in certain parts of Africa and Asia. Rural women have less access to a range of resources, from land rights and credit to education and technology. Although women make up almost four out of every ten people in the agricultural workforce, they own only about 15 percent of agricultural land. If women had the same access to productive resources as men, farm yields could increase by 20–30 per cent, feeding an additional 100 to 150 million people. The International Year of the Woman Farmer and 2026 meetings under the three Rio Conventions—on climate change, biodiversity, and desertification—offer an opportunity to turn recognition into action. Rural women must help shape agricultural policies and decide how funding is used to address climate change, protect biodiversity, and restore land. Their leadership must be reflected in commitments, budgets, and action. Source : United Nations Celebrations in India The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India, is organising the national-level celebration of Mahila Kisan Diwas 2026 on 15 October 2026. Women are an integral part of India's agricultural system. From sowing, transplanting and harvesting to livestock management, seed conservation, natural resource management and value addition, women contribute significantly across the agricultural value chain. Their traditional knowledge, role in biodiversity conservation, entrepreneurial initiatives and adoption of sustainable agricultural practices are vital to strengthening rural livelihoods and enhancing agricultural resilience. As per the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) conducted by NSO, MoSPI, females constituted 59.8% of the total workforce engaged in agricultural activities during January–December 2025. The theme for Mahila Kisan Diwas 2026 is “Role of Women Farmers in Building Developed Agriculture and a Developed India.” The theme highlights the leadership of women in achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat through the adoption of modern agricultural technologies, crop diversification, livestock management, and conservation of natural resources and the development of agriculture-based enterprises. Women farmers are contributing to making agriculture more productive, sustainable and self-reliant. The programme will bring together outstanding women farmers from various States and Union Territories, along with women agricultural officers, agricultural extension functionaries and officers and officials of DA&FW. It will provide a platform to recognise their achievements, facilitate the sharing of experiences and successful practices and encourage greater participation and leadership of women across the agricultural sector. Mahila Kisan is also being celebrated across States/UTs, Extension Education Institutes (EEIs), SAMETIs and MANAGE. Each venue is having participation of elected representatives, officials, scientists, extension workers, and other stakeholders, alongside 50-100 women farmers. Particular emphasis has been given on securing the participation of women farmers from tribal regions. Women agricultural officers and extension functionaries also play a crucial role in connecting agricultural research with farming communities. Through the dissemination of scientific farming practices, promotion of modern technologies, training and awareness generation about government schemes, they help farmers access knowledge and improve agricultural practices. The celebration of Mahila Kisan Diwas 2026 reaffirms the importance of women's empowerment in achieving agricultural progress and rural prosperity. Recognising women farmers, ensuring equal opportunities and strengthening their access to modern technology and essential resources are important steps towards building developed agriculture and a developed India.