WAYS of improving their lives, with a focus on mapping out a future, were explored by rural women at a two-day summit at Mngqesha Great Place in Dimbaza, near King William's Town.

Hosted by the City, the summit – a Women's Month activity – was concerned with the development of rural women. It took place on 19 and 20 August. The theme was "Women enjoying real and equal rights and opportunities within Buffalo City" and it was organised by the departments of public participation and special programmes, and local economic development.

Buffalo City's unwavering commitment to women's development and empowerment were emphasized. The summit also gave rural women a platform to talk about their destiny. Projects spearheaded by the City and the province were discussed. The deputy director-general in the provincial department of agriculture and rural development, Khunjulwa Manzi, said: "The department is working closely with municipalities in implementing its rural pilot projects aimed at fighting poverty, unemployment and lack of development."

Her department was targeting the poorest rural villages, identified by various government units as areas in dire need of development. Various projects were planned, including construction and infrastructure such as roads, fencing grazing land and reviving the agricultural scheme.

With agriculture in the spotlight, the provincial female farmer of the year, Nosipho Nduzulwana, urged women to use land to beat poverty and unemployment. "In our rural areas we have vast land that is not used. I would like to make a call to women to stand up and use this land to grow crops to sell and feed their families. The government is available to give assistance."

And Manzi pointed out that the government was developing agri-parks to help female farmers. "We are in a process of establishing agri-parks to assist rural farming co-operatives by capacitating them with knowledge," she said.

The department wanted to use the projects as a learning experience as it wanted to attract people back to rural areas.

Women who had succeeded in rural development and economic emancipation were profiled at the summit, including women in business. Tourism initiatives were also discussed.