On the International Day of Rural Women: Rural Women Who Became Stars in Writing, Creativity, Economics, and Art
Knowledge Affairs – Special
The United Nations celebrates the International Day of Rural Women on October 15 every year. On this occasion, rural women are recognized for their remarkable achievements in their rural communities, whether through products related to village life, farms, and fields, or through work connected to the environment in general. Some women grew up in simple rural environments and overcame social, economic, and geographical challenges to achieve fame and outstanding success in various fields.
Many television dramas and films tell stories of simple rural girls who move to the city and become famous stars in the world of art, or who succeed in building wealth and influence through their intelligence and determination. Several female artists began their lives in small villages and went on to become some of the most famous screen stars. There are also doctors, scientists, visual artists, and pioneers in women's work who came from rural areas to cities and made their mark in different fields.
Perhaps the celebration of Rural Women's Day carries great symbolic significance when it highlights these women who struggled, worked hard, and overcame the challenges of living in an unfamiliar city and adapting to its different way of life.
From Rural Life to Stardom:
The idea of moving from rural life to stardom is one of the favorite storylines on storytelling and novel platforms. These stories highlight suffering, rebellion, and the struggle against strict village traditions to prove oneself and rise quickly. They often revolve around a girl who discovers a hidden talent or receives a golden opportunity that completely changes the course of her life, allowing her to become a star in her new community.
Beyond the world of entertainment, many rural women have become stars in entrepreneurship and sustainable agriculture. They lead innovative local projects and receive international awards in recognition of their efforts to develop their communities and achieve food security.
Many rural women have left lasting marks that changed the course of history and the world. Through their struggles, they moved from simple agricultural environments to platforms of global influence. Among the most prominent rural women who achieved historic accomplishments worldwide are:
Wangari Maathai (Kenya): She grew up in a rural Kenyan village and became the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004. She founded the “Green Belt Movement,” which led rural women in planting millions of trees, combating desertification, and empowering women economically.
Eva Perón “Evita” (Argentina): She was born in a modest rural area of Argentina and later became one of the most famous and influential first ladies in Latin America, fiercely defending the rights of working-class people, women, and the poor.
Rajkumari Devi “Kisan Chachi” (India): A simple rural farmer from the state of Bihar, she developed agricultural businesses and employed thousands of rural women. She received the “Padma Shri,” one of India's highest civilian honors, for her efforts to empower rural women and increase agricultural production.
Ruma Devi (India): She was born into an extremely poor rural environment and married at the age of 17. She successfully established an organization to support and train more than 22,000 rural women in handicrafts and embroidery, eventually becoming a globally recognized entrepreneur.
Saalumarada Thimmakka (India): A rural farmer who received no formal education, she became internationally known as the “Mother of Trees.” She independently planted and cared for thousands of banyan trees along highways to protect the environment and received international recognition.
Arab Rural Women:
The Arab world has been home to many women who were born or raised in simple rural and Bedouin environments. Through their talent and determination, they broke stereotypes and became some of the most famous and prominent historical and cultural figures in the Arab world and internationally. Among these women are:
Umm Kulthum (Egypt): The Lady of Arabic Singing and an icon of the arts, she was born in the village of Tamay al-Zahayra in Egypt's Dakahlia Governorate. She grew up in a simple rural family and began singing with her father at religious festivals while wearing traditional rural clothing. She later achieved international fame and became one of the most powerful and famous women of the twentieth century.
Samira Moussa (Egypt): The first Arab nuclear scientist, she was born in the village of Sanbo al-Kubra in Egypt's Gharbia Governorate. She left this modest village to become an internationally recognized researcher in atomic radiation and earned her doctorate in Britain.
Aisha Abd al-Rahman “Bint al-Shati” (Egypt): A thinker and writer, she was the first woman to lecture at Al-Azhar. She was born in Damietta into a conservative rural family. She adopted the name “Bint al-Shati,” meaning “Daughter of the Shore,” in reference to the shores of her rural homeland. Given the nature of rural society at the time, where girls were often prohibited from pursuing education outside the home, she succeeded in educating herself at home and became one of the greatest Arab literary figures.
Djamila Bouhired (Algeria): Although she was born in the Casbah neighborhood, her family's roots and the revolutionary spirit she represented were connected to the Algerian countryside and mountainous regions, which sheltered the revolution and the women who fought against French colonialism. She went on to become an international icon of freedom.
Dr. Safaa Kumari (Syria): A Syrian plant virologist, she was included by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) on its list of the 100 most influential women in the world. She became known for her dedication to protecting rural food security and risked her life to save rare seed samples from destruction during wars so that agricultural and rural communities could benefit from them.
Saudi Women Pioneers:
Saudi Arabia works to support and empower rural women and productive families, strengthen their participation in the labor market, and support their contribution to the national economy, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. Among the prominent Saudi women in rural fields is:
Zulaikha Al-Kaabi (Saudi Arabia): One of the best-known women in agricultural investment in the Kingdom, she manages one of the largest farms in southern Saudi Arabia, containing more than 100,000 banana trees and producing tons of bananas daily. She represents an inspiring modern example of a woman successfully leading the rural and agricultural production sector. Rural women represent a substantial human resource that can be invested in to help implement numerous rural activities and programs.
Many other rural women and creative talents have also emerged in Saudi Arabia's agricultural and heritage regions. They have achieved widespread recognition by developing their local communities, reviving traditional crafts, and excelling in the rural agricultural sector.
Rural environments in the south of the Kingdom are distinguished by the art of “Al-Qatt Al-Asiri,” which is registered with UNESCO. Several renowned artists have helped preserve the identity of traditional rural homes:
Fatimah Qahhas (Asir Region): A famous visual artist who excelled in Al-Qatt Al-Asiri. She contributed to decorating the interiors and designs of old mud-brick and rural houses and supervised workshops to teach this art to new generations.
Sharifa Al-Alma'iyya: One of the leading experts who preserved the art of Al-Qatt decoration in rural and heritage villages in the Asir Region and helped bring it to international attention.
In the historical and military field, Ghalia Al-Buqami (Turabah) emerged as a prominent historical figure from a rural and tribal environment between the Hijaz and Najd. She became famous for her courage and leadership skills in managing battles and defending the lands of her people.
In the educational field, Hanaa Al-Maghribi (Northern Region) laid the early foundations for community-based women's education in her local environment. She also built educational centers at her own expense to help develop her community.
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