United Nations Radio

There's been a call to put the needs of rural women at the top of the global agenda.

The call comes from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in a message on the first observance of the International Day of Rural Women.

The Secretary-General says that by making women active partners in addressing the world's pressing food crisis, we can do much more than solve the immediate problem; pointing out that " we can pave the way for a more secure global future."

He says rural women produce more than half the world's food and provide immeasurable support to local communities.

But, he adds, despite the life-saving role they play, these women are seldom adequately appreciated or compensated.

Secretary-General Ban says the mission is to foster a world where the woman who farms is also a woman with educational opportunities, political access, and a voice at the negotiating table.

This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio.

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