Monday 15 October, on the occasion of the "International Day of Rural Women", the President Martelly and his wife paid tribute to the women of Haitian provinces, including rural women, an important link in the economic development.

The First Lady of the Republic, Sophia Martelly, has underlined the commitment and the role of women in the economy in general and the rural economy in particular, including their participation in agricultural production and their involvement in improving the standard of living of their families, she describes these women of vital functions of the Haitian society, the "potomitan".

"[...] I am firmly convinced that the social and economic development of a country depends on the productive force of its rural women, of the education os its children, particularly those of its daughters. Our peasant women play a crucial role in the reduction of poverty, the food security, the environmental sustainability and other aspects related to the achievement the Millennium Development Goals," declared Sophia Martelly, native of Gonaives.

The presidential couple has stressed the importance of rural Haitian women, 26% are heads of single-parent families with the responsibility of the household, of children, of the sick and elderly.

The presidential couple, who has always shown great interest in the development of the Haitian woman sees in this day an opportunity to educate the Haitian community, on the importance of rural women so that they can regain their rightful place in society.

HL/ HaitiLibre