handicraft production. Although income and mobility were low in such informal sector activities, for many poor women access to that sector was relatively easy compared to the problems ex?~rienced in obtaining formal employment. One representative stated that in her country rural women included not only farm women but also those attached to households drawing their income fror forestry, fisheries and services connected with tourism. One representative felt that the enjoyment of rural women's rights and their full development depended on the establishme11t of a new international economic order. Citing rural development in her country, she pointed out that the agra~ian sector produced a large portion of the gross national product and hence received a great deal of attention by the Government. Rural women thus enjoyed equal rights with men. 173. Many representatives presented statistics on the proportion of rural women in their countries by fields of activity. Several representatives reported that an increasing number of women were graduating from agricultural institutes, whereas others stated that women farmers and, more generally, women in rural areas, were subjected to intense discrimination, attributable to deeply rooted social prejudice and patriarchal concepts among the rural population. Changes in agrarian legislation to ensure the equality of sexes had not yet been completed. Discrimination began with the definition of the term ''economically active'' because most women farmers were unpaid assistants, working without any personal income. It was stressed that rural women should be given the opportunity to earn their living and control the means of production in order to become economically independent, thereby achieving equality. 174. Many representatives agreed that there was a need for action based on the recommendations contained in the Secretary-General's report (E/CN.6/1988/4). They appealed to the international community to increase assistance to rural women in order to overcome the world economic crisis. On the problems of rural women, many 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the challenges and opportunities faced by rural women in developing countries, particularly in terms of their economic empowerment and access to employment. It highlights the importance of agricultural development, rural development, and international economic cooperation in addressing these issues.

**Category**
Employment, Agriculture, forestry and fishing