STAFF WRITER
WOMEN in Leadership Development (WILD) has challenged the government to consider the heavy burden of unpaid care work experienced by rural women.
In the organisation’s message to commemorate the International Rural Women’s Day, WILD said it was sad that rural women and girls continue to bear the brunt of unpaid domestic care work.
“WILD urges the government to address the heavy burden of unpaid care work experienced by women in Zimbabwe. Due to climate change in Matabeleland North and South, women travel long distances in search of water and firewood and this places on them a burden and their participation in decision-making processes.
“Women and girls continue to bear the brunt of unpaid domestic care work and it is unfortunate that the scales are slanted not in their favor as progress on achieving gender equality remains slow.
“This entrenched their vulnerability to poverty throughout their lifetime and further widened the gender equality gap between men and women,” said WILD.
The day is set aside to recognise the role of rural women in enhancing agricultural and rural development, improving food security and eradicating rural poverty.
“Rural women’s importance in providing health care cannot be undermined and as the world places measures towards achieving gender equality, actions that address the disparity between women’s and men’s care responsibilities should become a priority.”
WILD further noted that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals on gender equality and addressing rising challenges in unpaid care work was key to eradicating acute poverty among rural women.
