Rural life is often portrayed as idyllic, countryside living where life is slower and the beauty of the surroundings compensates for the lack of anything you may have in an urban setting.
This can be the case; rural life has a lot to offer many. This image does however not account for the impact of lack of service provision on health and wellbeing. Rural Women’s Groups and Rural Community Groups offer a vital link to rural women and their families in reducing social isolation; providing activities; a base for service delivery and often, bespoke support.
This work has been historically under resourced1, yet has the potential to save the economy by addressing social isolation’s inevitable Health & Wellbeing impacts. Rural women experiencing domestic violence are more vulnerable due to their social isolation and distance from service support.
1: Review of Government funding for the Women’s sector OFMDFM/DSD August 2012
- Support the call made by the UN’s CEDAW Committee in 2008 for increased and sustained funding” for women’s groups
- Implement the delivery of Health & Wellbeing Programmes in rural areas specifically targeting rural women.
- Address the historical underfunding of rural women’s provision link
- When budgeting, take account of the specific needs and challenges faced by rural women and their children when experiencing domestic abuse
