International Rural Women Day – Building Sustainable and Inclusive Communities

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UNFAO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, will mark the International Rural Women Day with talks in Bijelo Polje.

The event will be held on Monday, 14 October, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Hotel Franca, Bijelo Polje.

Opening remarks will be delivered by:

• Selma Omerović, President of Municipal Assembly of the Municipality Bijelo Polje

• Krsto Rađenović, State Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of Montenegro

• Ekaterina Paniklova, UNDP Resident Representative in Montenegro

• Nabil Gangi, FAO Deputy Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia, de-facto Head of Office for Montenegro

Key findings from the country level analysis of gender, agriculture and rural development sector (CGA) will also be presented at the event.

Celebrating International Rural Women’s Day in Bijelo Polje underscores the vital importance of empowering rural women for sustainable development and economic growth in the northern regions. This event perfectly aligns with the goals of the “EmpowHER” project, a collaborative effort between UNDP and UNFAO, dedicated to fostering inclusive rural development in municipalities like Berane, Bijelo Polje, and Plav.

The Bijelo Polje event, organised in partnership with Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of Montenegro, Municipality Bijelo Polje, Municipality Plav and Municipality Berane, will celebrate the remarkable achievements of rural women and highlight successful initiatives driving economic transformation. It will also offer a platform for discussing strategies to overcome systemic barriers, aligning with Montenegro’s commitments to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the EU Gender Action Plan III.

Download the event agenda HERE.