LocationsA Driving Force for Economic Development and Social Empowerment
The Strength of Women in Rural Areas
October 15, 2025
Vera Pavićević, village Kovčica Žabljak
UNDP Montenegro/Vladimir Vučinić
“A woman from a Montenegrin village is taught from an early age to take care of others — to work, stay silent, and not think much about herself. She works from dawn until late at night, managing household and agricultural chores, caring for her family — often without property rights, stable income, or access to healthcare.”
This is how Jelica Pantović, journalist and longtime editor of Agrosaznanje on RTCG, begins her story. For decades, she has reported on life in Montenegro’s rural areas.
As she explains, attitudes toward rural women are often shaped by condescension and stereotypes, reflected even in everyday humor and the language of local communities. As a chronicler of her time, Pantović testifies to the position of rural women, who she says remain among the most vulnerable and overburdened members of Montenegrin society.
“Rural women usually have no pension or life insurance, which by default belong to men as heads of households. They often do not own property and are excluded from land inheritance, which prevents them from starting their own businesses — they lack the collateral needed for bank loans and access to government funding. As a result, a woman remains merely a diligent worker on the farm, while her participation in decision-making depends on her personal influence over the men in her family and her courage to challenge tradition and claim her rights,” Pantović says.
And indeed — although women form the backbone of rural life, their position remains marked by invisibility, inequality, and traditional constraints.
Jovana Bogavac, Laništa Mojkovac
UNDP Montenegro/Vladimir Vučinić
Behind Every Statistic Lies a Life Story
Research conducted by Monstat, De Facto, and UNDP confirms what Jelica has witnessed throughout her career:
Only 12.9% of women are registered as holders of agricultural households, although they make up the majority of the agricultural workforce.
In the national register of farmers, more than 70% of insured individuals are men — securing them income in old age while leaving women without social protection.
Nearly two-thirds of women believe that men have an advantage in property inheritance, limiting women’s ability to realize their potential and start businesses.
One-third of women in rural areas believe that male entrepreneurs are more successful than women, reflecting persistent attitudes that hinder women’s participation in business.
More than a quarter of rural women have experienced some form of gender discrimination within the family, making the home environment the most common source of inequality.
Yet behind these numbers lies more than inequality — there is an enormous, untapped human potential.
Vera Pavićević, village Kovčica Žabljak
UNDP Montenegro/Vladimir Vučinić
Women Do Not Give Up
Despite these challenges, rural women persevere.
They produce food, safeguard Montenegro’s rich culture, traditions, and nature, and pass on knowledge and values. They are the quiet leaders of their communities.
UNDP research shows that nearly 80% of rural women recognize gender equality as a key policy area for achieving meaningful equality in rights and opportunities — in social, political, economic, and family life alike.
The Power of Change Begins with Awareness
For women in rural areas, the highest levels of inequality are found in property inheritance, distribution of household work and caregiving responsibilities, and issues of gender-based violence and sexual harassment.
These patterns are passed down through generations and are often justified by tradition.
That is why change cannot be only legal — it must also be cultural, economic, and social.
The narratives must evolve: rural women are not just “farm workers” — they are key agents of sustainable development and innovation.
Their awareness of their own position, and their readiness to change it, are growing stronger every day.
Toward Transformation: Economic Empowerment Is the Key
Economic independence is the foundation of all equality. When women have access to land, credit, training, and markets, their status within the family, community, and society changes.
That is why UNDP, together with its partners, works to economically empower women in rural areas — supporting women’s entrepreneurship, green innovation, and access to finance as drivers not only of economic growth but also of broader social transformation.
Through these programmes, many women in northern Montenegro are already launching their own agricultural businesses, creating local brands, generating jobs, and inspiring others to follow their lead.
The Power of Community Support
Rural women need greater opportunities to enhance their business development skills, adopt green and sustainable innovations, and improve their access to financing and other resources.
This would not only stimulate economic growth but also transform women’s roles within their households — giving them more influence in decision-making, greater control over income distribution, and the confidence that they can shape the future of their families.
This is change that lasts.
Change that depends not only on policy, but on every woman knowing that her work has value and her voice has power.
When Women Rise, Everyone Rises
Rural women are the bearers of the true strength behind Montenegro’s transformation.
Their energy, resilience, and knowledge make them key partners in building an inclusive and sustainable society.
Removing gender barriers and opening economic opportunities for rural women is not only a matter of justice — it is a smart investment in the country’s future.
Because when rural women advance — everyone does.
The development of this story is implemented by UNDP in the framework of the Regional Joint Programme ‘EU 4 Gender Equality: Women’s Economic Empowerment and Ending Violence against Women,’ funded by the European Union and implemented jointly by UN Women and UNDP".