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2 October 2008

The Department of Agriculture through its Minister Ms Lulu Xingwana will lead the commemoration of the World Rural Women's Day on 15 October 2008 at Dutywa, Mbhashe Municipality in the Eastern Cape.

Rural women make up more than a quarter of the world population and in their honour the Departments of Agriculture and Land Affairs together with Women in Agriculture and Rural Development (WARD) will jointly have celebrations marking this day.

This year's theme "Climate Change: rural women are part of the solution" is relevant because rural women form part of the solution. They can contribute towards fighting some of the effects of climate change through indigenous and sustainable agricultural practices.

The objectives of the World Rural Women's Day are to raise the profile of rural women; to sensitise government and the public to their crucial and yet unrecognised roles.

Meanwhile, World Food Day celebrations will be held at the same venue in Dutywa in the Eastern Cape the following day on 16 October 2008. The Minister will lead a march into the stadium to kick start the celebrations to be held under the theme 'World Food Security and the challenges of climate change and Bio-energy.'

NB: Members of the media are invited to attend both events.

Full details of the events are as follows:

Event: Rural Women's Day
Date: 15 October 2008
Time: 09h00
Venue: Dutywa Stadium

Event: World Food Day
Date: 16 October 2008
Time: 07h00
Venue: Dutywa Stadium

To attend please RSVP by 13 October 2008 by calling:
Tshepo Seloana
Tel: 012 319 6986
E-mail: TshepoSe@nda.agric.za

Promise Masemola
Tel: 012 319 7089
E-mail: PromiseM@nda.agric.za

For further information contact:
Steve Galane
Cell: 083 636 7346
E-mail: DAIS@nda.agric.za

Issued by: Department of Agriculture
2 October 2008