The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, known as UN Women, in Tunisia has launched a campaign to support women in rural areas. The campaign, which runs from October 12 to 27, 2026, aims to amplify the voices of rural women and promote their economic empowerment. In collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development and the Food and Agriculture Organization, the campaign seeks to bring attention to the challenges faced by women in rural Tunisia.

According to UN Women, women make up approximately 35% of the rural population in Tunisia and account for over 75% of the workforce in the agricultural sector. However, women in this sector earn less than 50% of the average wages of their male counterparts. Furthermore, only 12% of women in rural areas have access to social protection. These statistics highlight the need for targeted support to address the disparities faced by rural women in Tunisia.

The campaign will engage with media representatives to share the stories of 15 women from rural areas, showcasing their experiences and challenges through various media formats, including articles, short videos, and podcasts. The media outreach will focus on two governorates, Jundubah and Al-Qairouan, where journalists will conduct interviews with women working in the agricultural sector and meet with civil society activists.

The campaign's activities will commence on October 7, 2026, in Jundubah, with a series of field visits and interviews with women working in agriculture and civil society activists. On October 9, 2026, media representatives will travel to Al-Qairouan to conduct similar visits and interviews. The goal is to shed light on the working conditions faced by women in the agricultural sector and to amplify their demands for support and protection.

The campaign aims to raise awareness about the challenges faced by women in rural Tunisia, including limited access to social protection and economic opportunities. By highlighting these issues, the campaign seeks to promote policy changes and support for rural women. The involvement of media representatives is crucial in amplifying the voices of rural women and bringing attention to their needs.

The collaboration between UN Women, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, and the Food and Agriculture Organization underscores the importance of addressing the challenges faced by rural women in Tunisia. The campaign's focus on economic empowerment and social protection reflects the need for comprehensive support to address the disparities faced by women in rural areas.

The campaign's launch coincides with efforts by the Tunisian government to promote economic development and social protection. The government's initiatives aim to address the country's economic challenges and promote sustainable development. The campaign's focus on rural women highlights the need for targeted support to address the specific challenges faced by this group.

Key points

  • The campaign aims to amplify the voices of rural women and promote their economic empowerment.
  • Women in rural Tunisia face significant disparities, including limited access to social protection and economic opportunities.
  • The campaign will engage with media representatives to share the stories of 15 women from rural areas.

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SaharaWire Newsroom
SaharaWire

Reporting for SaharaWire from the Nairobi bureau.