How rural women in Asia are standing up against exclusion, social pressure and patriarchy

Nine power stories from Asia’s rural women celebrating their strength, innovation and history

This month the world celebrates the United Nations International Day of the Girl Child (11 Oct), as well as Day of Rural Women (15 Oct) — so we’ve brought together stories of a group that seldom makes global headlines — rural women and girls in Asia. Some stories are already getting attention — such as that of the recurring, brutal cases of gender-violence and caste discrimination in India, or the detrimental impact of rural girls’ lack of access to education. The latter is getting worse as the pandemic pushes families to make cutbacks.

But others remain largely unheard and undercovered. In this issue, we share nine solutions stories that highlight and celebrate the strength, innovation and history of rural women and girls in Asia — people whose stories are too seldom shared.

This issue was written by Daniela Muenzel, a freelance writer and communications specialist.

Rural women taking back power

In India, over nine hundred women beekeepers in a network spanning from Maharashtra to Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh are working together to generate income and create sustainability. Monica…