The Unreported Alliance Between Vogue, IICA and Women 20
Portraying the strength and challenges of our rural women
Vogue Brazil is synonymous with style, catwalks, beauty and also lifestyles. We know women and we try to give them information that will help them to live better in the truest sense of the word. We depict modern life from different perspectives… Our pages portray women who are changing the world, their world, in small ways or through major transformation.
We have always done this, and we will continue to do so in all our editions, and in every edition.
And since we in the editorial world can never shy away from new challenges, we have decided to take on a new one: to turn the spotlight on the female force that feeds the world, by giving a voice and presence to rural women in Latin American and Caribbean countries.
Our readers are satisfied, which is something that the 1.1 million members of our virtual community tell us every day. And since we in the editorial world can never shy away from new challenges, we have decided to take on a new one: to turn the spotlight on the female force that feeds the world, by giving a voice and presence to rural women in Latin American and Caribbean countries.
To do so, we have forged an alliance with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and with Women 20, a group that is seeking to impact the G20 agenda, in a bid to realize the so-called Sustainable Development Goals. This is an objective to which the entire planet should commit.
This partnership is special and has gone unreported. For the first time, Vogue Brazil is joining forces with an organization of the Inter-American System – IICA – and with a group of women who are striving to influence development policies within the framework of the G20, which is a key global forum for economic, financial and political cooperation and public policy coordination.
This partnership is special and has gone unreported. For the first time, Vogue Brazil is joining forces with an organization of the Inter-American System – IICA – and with a group of women who are striving to influence development policies within the framework of the G20.
One purpose unites us: to portray, call attention to and strengthen the role of women in Latin America and the Caribbean’s rural areas.
Why? Because even in the absence of incentives or infrastructure, women are responsible for half of the world’s food production. Because they draw on the knowledge that their ancestors have passed down from generation to generation to maintain their families and to participate in our countries’ food markets.
That is the reason that we have combined efforts: to provide more forums and development opportunities for women in a world that has been historically dominated by men, even as we recognize the effectiveness and impact of this female force that is growing day by day.
Vogue Brazil, with IICA’s support, will give a voice, to these key players in the massive Latin American agricultural market. We are preparing special reports and photo essays to depict the lifestyles, needs and achievements of rural women in four countries: Brazil, Guatemala, Jamaica and Argentina.
We will turn the lights and lenses of our cameras on the lives of our women leaders. We will portray the living legacy of past generations – the adversities, values and regional folklore that are the foundation of this poignant female presence in rural areas.
Vogue Brazil, with IICA’s support, will give a voice, to these key players in the massive Latin American agricultural market.
Our articles will speak to development, culture, the economy and sustainability.
Even as I write this note for the book on rural women around the world, commissioned to us by IICA, Vogue journalists are writing reports and taking pictures.
We travelled to four countries, trying to capture the angles, lighting and scenes that would best depict daily life, while at the same time we were preparing a portfolio of photographs that we plan to present to global political, social and economic leaders.
We would like to become a part of this world that is aspiring to achieve greater levels of development.
We believe that the role of rural women and the recognition of their contribution should be given priority in G20 and W20 agendas. We believe that it is important to promote initiatives that guarantee inclusion and the capacity development of women through financial incentives and access to technology. We believe that there should be more opportunities and a greater variety of forums that allow women to play a decisive role, and provide women from rural areas with a sustainable and equitable environment.
In attempting to depict the living conditions of women in the countryside, Vogue Brazil is trying to tell the world that the current scenario, characterized by limited access to resources and services, should be changed.
We believe that the role of rural women and the recognition of their contribution should be given priority in G20 and W20 agendas.
Recognition, development, rights, empowerment, legacy… these are key words in this novel and unreported effort that Vogue Brazil is undertaking with such enthusiasm.
Vogue Brazil is supporting IICA in calling for sound and long-term public policies that address the welfare of women who live in rural areas. The more vulnerable these women are, the greater the social consequences.
Our support is testimony to the true meaning and enormity of IICA’s appeal to mass media to commit itself to an issue that we cannot afford to omit from the public agenda.
