Gender equality commissioner Josie Christodoulou has emphasised the “vital role” of rural women in society and called on the government to support initiatives aimed at strengthening their contributions.

“The rural woman is called upon to cope with multiple and simultaneous roles — mother, wife, worker, businesswoman, caregiver of the family and the land,” Christodoulou said.

She noted that rural women often struggled under the weight of stereotypes, highlighting the need to cultivate an environment where women enjoy equal access to resources, funding, education, and expertise.

“The next action for rural women and female farmers will focus on their financial education,” she said.

To this end, training programmes for rural women and farmers have been implemented to promote female entrepreneurship, with a total of 86 women from rural communities participating so far.

Additionally, 39 women have already benefited from investments of €2.48 million under the rural development programme, which aims to strengthen female entrepreneurship, including funding for young female farmers.

Christodoulou added that research conducted at Frederick University has provided a valuable tool for shaping future governmental policies.