Habitat, INSTRAW, ILO, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO)e While many themes emerged in the conclusions and recommendations of the report, she stressed the particular importance of women's access to re$ources and services, especially credit. She said that it would be helpful if the Commission could reach conclusions on appropriate standards and policies to deal with the problems of rural women and to identify those issues that it believed would benefit from further detailed examination as well as those steps to which priority should be given in operational activities. 171. Many representatives stated that women in the third world, especially those in rural areas, suffered from overwork, which included feeding their families, teaching their children, carrying water and working in the fields. One representative expressed her disappointment that, despite the excellent information contained therein, the report paid little attention to the concerns of rural women in industrialized countries. In her opinion, the solutions to the problems of rural women required an international approach. 172. Another representative pointed out that the status of rural women could not be considered in isolation from the socio-economic and political situation of the country. Several representatives described the multiple roles of rural women in their countries as cooks, teachers, nurses, housekeepers, judges, firewood collectors, builders and social workers, emphasizing the vital role played by rural women in the family's physical and economic well-being. There were serious consequences to the health of rural women and children resulting from the time spent in collecting and carrying food, fuelwood and water. Another representative -87-stated that, as rural women were unable to afford either unemployment or poorly paid formal employment, increasing numbers had turned to self-employment. In some rural areas, women processed and sold produce or used local raw materials in 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the challenges faced by rural women, particularly in terms of their multiple roles and responsibilities, limited access to resources and services, and the impact of their work on their health and well-being. The report highlights the importance of addressing the specific needs of rural women, including access to credit and services, and the need for international cooperation to find solutions to these problems.

**Category**
Economic development, Employment, Health