Rural sectors such as agri-food, forestry, aquaculture, and tourism, have great potential for job creation and sustainable enterprise development, serving as a key source of decent jobs for women. The potential and the challenges of the rural economy must be considered through a gender-sensitive perspective. Furthermore, current trends such as urbanization, demographic shifts, climate change, and technological advancements are changing the gender dynamics of work in rural economies.

To understand the challenges and decent work deficits faced by women in rural areas and to foster their potential for growth and development, we need good data. The basic concepts and definitions historically used in labour statistics carried an inherent bias which misrepresented (or even hid) work done by women, especially in rural areas.

These new statistical standards are particularly relevant for the work of women in rural areas, which can now be more accurately depicted and understood. The increased knowledge will inform social dialogue and help develop better targeted policies to advance women’s economic empowerment and gender equality in rural areas.