Message 12: Umarukhunova Gulbakhor

1. 75% of World’s poor population lives in rural areas, and more than 60% of them being women. Any achievements or results in economic and social development can not be assessed without paying focused attention to rural development and the needs of rural population.

In developing countries, women/girls play a significant role both in market related agricultural production and non-market provision of social goods and services. Traditionally, women have dominated food production in many developing countries. Women produce between 60- 80% of the food in most developing countries. In South East Asia, women provide up to 90% of labor in rice cultivation; in Thailand, women are extensively engaged in agriculture. Almost 80% of soil improvement in undertaken by women. In Pakistan 80% of livestock is managed by Women. In Kenya women are 75-89% of the agricultural labor force. In Tanzania, women are 80% of unpaid family labor in agriculture. Moreover, a comprehensive understanding of women's role and economic contribution cannot disregard women's unpaid care work in the reproductive spheres.

Women play a significant role both in market related agricultural production and non-market provision of social goods and services within developing countries. Traditionally, women have dominated food production in many developing countries. Women produce between 60- 80% of the food in most developing countries. In South East Asia, women provide up to 90% of labour in rice cultivation; in Thailand, women are extensively engaged in agriculture. Almost 80% of soil improvement in undertaken by women. In Pakistan 80% of livestock is managed by Women. In Kenya women are 75-89% of the agricultural labour force. In Tanzania, women are 80% of unpaid family labour in agriculture(UNIFEM data). Moreover, a comprehensive understanding of women's role and economic contribution cannot disregard women's unpaid care work in the reproductive spheres. As we also can see in Central Asian region. Women also represent the unpaid labor force and helpers to their husbands by providing both field and household chores.

There is low percentage of women who are the heads of their households: Azerbaijan - 11,3 %, Armenia - 39%, Georgia - 52,1%, Kazakhstan - 2,8%, Kyrgyzstan - 4,5%, Tajikistan - 22%, Turkmenistan - 8%, Uzbekistan - 20% ( in general widows, unwed mothers, divorcees)(GWP, Report on Gender surveys Tashkent 2005).

Mentioned problems are aggravated by economic hardship that limit the financial stability of men and women and in addition restrict access of women to control of their own livelihoods. But the poverty affects men and women in different ways as in context of living in poverty an in context of other key problems related to living in poverty. The high unemployment in CA countries negative affects for women, 65% of the total number of unemployed are the women. And the women who are working, they are unpaid or low-paid.

With the absence of protection of women's right to own property and land, rural women lose their homes, land and other property due to discriminatory laws and customs. In a recent report by Human Rights Watch, cases of women who have been denied their inheritance rights to land have demonstrated how women's insecure property rights due to social norms and lack of legal protection are hindering agricultural production and causing food shortages and rural poverty.

2. (GWP: Gender aspects of INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT - report on gender surveys in Representatives households in Republics of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Tashkent 2004)

As a woman living in developing agricultural countries for all my life I can for sure state that women are neglected here, discriminated , low-paid and economically dependant from their husband. Even in the context of sanitary facilities women are more affected than men. As the gender survey indicated below showed that the main problem in villages is the lack of public bathhouses. Basic causes are insufficient water head in the water-supply network and problems with gas supply. In summer people takes shower using water heated by the sun. In winter , rural residents usually visit the public bathhouses in the administrative centers. This problem negatively affects women ,. Because men can wash themselves in irrigation canals, but rural women do not have access to this due to traditional prejudices.

Women are not the decision-makers at all. As a 95 % of respondents ( GWP report, 2005) think that only man allocates land plots for vegetable gardens, has access to agricultural machinery, has access to a market, has the priority in receiving credits, posses land and water use right, makes decisions in regard with a crop pattern in a farm and has real access to a ready sale.

Only 7,6 % of women in countries of Transcaucasia and 3,2 % of women in countries of Central Asia possess the right to manage the family budget independently, however most women cannot spend their money earned by women themselves at their own discretion

Lack of education among the women is also the essential issue to be discussed. Only 29,3 % in countries of Transcaucasia and 14,8 % in CA having higher and special secondary education Women agree to be engaged in low-status and low-skill occupation without possibilities to improve their professional skills.

The traditions as earlier marriage and isolated life, decline in prestige of education have resulted in decreasing a share of female students in higher education institutions. At the same time, it results in low representation of rural women at the market of high-skilled labor in the regions (Central Asian) The basic concerns for children and aged people also lay on women’s shoulders, and thereby stress the women and do not enable them to use existing opportunities for self-realization and self-perfection.

There are always some obstacles for doing private business by women, like lack of money to start-up businesses, bureaucratic barriers, lack of specialized knowledge and education; lack of professional skills for business management; restricted access to education.

Umarakhunova Gulbakhor

IWMI Tashkent office