The Swiss-based Women’s World Summit Foundation (WWSF), the international humanitatian ngo behind International Day of Rural Women (October 15th), is looking for candidates for its annual Prize for Women’s Creativity in Rural Life. Designed to draw international attention to laureates’ contributions and award them 1000USD of support, the prize was created in Geneva in 1994 and has awarded 500 laureates from 120 countries since then.
Awarded since 1994 by the Women’s World Summit Foundation (WWSF), an international, nonprofit, humanitarian NGO, serving the implementation of women’s and children’s rights and the UN development agenda – the Prize (US$ 1000 per laureate) honours women and women’s groups around the world exhibiting exceptional creativity, courage and commitment for the improvement of the quality of life in rural communities. Aiming to draw international attention to laureates’ contributions to sustainable development, household food security and peace, thus generating recognition and support for their projects, the Prize has rewarded five hundred women and women’s groups over its thirty years of existence.
“While rural women are vital in providing examples of sound practices in their communities, they still do not have full access to tools needed for sustainable development, such as education, digital technology, access to credit, land rights, participation in decision-making, and so much more. By highlighting and awarding creative development models, innovation and experiences enhancing the quality of rural life, WWSF participates in addressing the urgency to eradicate rural poverty & discrimination & increase women’s empowerment in rural areas”, says Maria Elfriede Pradervand, the founder of the WWSF, in a booklet celebrating the prize’s 30th anniversary.
Sobering numbers
The booklet further provides some sobering numbers on the conditions of women in rural areas world wide. In nearly 80% of countries with data, fewer than half of the women have ownership or secure rights to agricultural land. 58 out of the 84 countries reviewed even lack adequate legal protections for women’s land rights in domains like inheritance or family law.
Like all life-altering events such as war or natural disasters, climate change affects women hardest. Under the worst case scenario, the WWSF projects that climate change could push up to 158 million more women and girls into poverty and 236 million more into food insecurity by 2050.
Furthermore, a staggering 47% of the surveyed countries (61 out of 131) still has laws that restrict women from doing the same jobs as men, while the gender pay gap is still very much alive: 90% of the wage gap remains unexplained, meaning it results from discrimination, lessened opportunities or structural barriers.
Women, and especially rural women, are also still struggling for adequate social protection and political representation. In fact, according to the WWSF, 26.5% of working age women globally are legally covered by social protection systems as of 2025, compared to 34.3% for men. Rural women are all the more at a disadvantage, since many work informally and, thus, without formal protections. A reminder that in Belgium, where Women in Ag is based, working spouses – almost always women – have only been able to build up pension rights since 2005. As of January of last year, women hold about 27.2% of seats in national parliaments globally. A little better than previous years but still a far cry from equality.
The prize
The “Prize for Women’s Creativity in Rural Life” selects annually from candidates proposed to WWSF rural women leaders and groups to honour their creativity and innovation to help advance and improve the quality of life in rural communities.
The prize award of US$ 1000 per laureate represents the WWSF’s solidarity contribution for big efforts and obstacles overcome, and is not meant to be a project fund, although in many cases the prize money is re-invested in the laureates’ project. The WWSF awards its annual selected laureates each year on the International Day of Rural Women on 15 October.
Nominees should be women and women’s groups currently active in rural life whose efforts have not yet been acknowledged by other awards. The nominating organization or individual – as the candidates may not nominate themselves – must have direct experience of the nominee’s work.
The WWSF is looking for candidates with the following characteristics:
- Exceptional courage and perseverance in improving rural life
- Creativity in the approach
- Preservation of and respect for the environment (if the candidate is involved with the environment)
- Continuing impact in the community
- Underline how the work of the candidate promotes the UN Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 Transforming our world.
For more information and access to nomination criteria and forms, click here.
Source: WWSF
Picture: UN Women/Nicky Kuautonga
