The International Day of Rural Women and World Food Day occur side-by-side this week, further highlighting the role women in rural areas play in alleviating extreme poverty and hunger. According to the United Nations, women comprise more than "40% of the agricultural labor force in developing countries, ranging from 20% in Latin America to 50% or more in parts of Africa and Asia." But, many of those women face discrimination when trying to manage farms. How can women in other communities help them?

A heatwave has ripped across the Pacific Northwest, forcing people to visit cooling centers due to the lack of residential air conditioners in the historically temperate climate. Temperatures have soared to 118 degrees (48 °C). The National Weather Service says that "on average, more people die from heat than any other severe weather." In Canada, British Columbia’s chief coroner, Lisa Lapointe, received reports of at least 486 “sudden and unexpected deaths.” She said, "...it is believed likely that the significant increase in deaths reported is attributable to the extreme weather.” There are a number of vulnerable groups impacted, including farmworkers.

As wildfires rage on the West Coast, farmworkers continue to harvest crops. On top of the coronavirus pandemic, they have faced soaring summer temperatures, unpredictable fires, and dense smoke. Some companies, like Oregon's Arlyn Vineyard, have prioritized health and safety over profits, but there's more we can all do year-round to protect these essential workers and valuable members of our community.