Anuradha Chenoy, the professor former dean of School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India talked exclusively to Eurasia Diary on International Day of Rural Women. She has specialized and more than 35 years experience on  Russian and Central Asian, Gender and International Relations.

Eurasia Diary: We would like to know about your background and your career, please let us know in detail?

Anuradha Chenoy: I am professor in the School of International Studies and former dean of this School. I work on international relations and gender regarding Russian and Central Asian Studies.

Eurasia Diary: What is the importance of this day?

Anuradha Chenoy: This day is important as it highlights the special issues that rural women face world over. Rural women are often the most marginalized of all women. They work in informal sectors and their work is often undervalued and not recognized. They do not have access to basic services to give them dignity.

Eurasia Diary: What are the miseries of the rural women in developing and underdeveloped countries?

Anuradha Chenoy: Rural Women in both developed and under developed countries face patriarchal structures. They carry the dual burden of working as labor and domestic labor, in circumstances of poor infrastructure. This is much worse in the under developed world. In addition, rural societies consist from lack education and health facilities. Any sickness in the family wipes out years of savings of women. Women are the main caregivers and sustain the household economy in rural areas. Yet they are neglected.

Eurasia Diary: There are a lot of NGOs and International Groups who have exploited the women, especially the rural women for their own vested interests. But the miseries of the rural women are more than before. Why they are not compensated?

Anuradha Chenoy: NGOs and international NGOs are meant to be the ethical conscience of society and bring to light information on the grass root area where they work. NGOs are meant to be the connection between the state and grass roots. But sometimes, they are unable to deliver. However, NGOs are important to construct civil society. One of the main problems is that many NGOs do not work in rural areas.

Eurasia Diary: What kind of major steps should be done in order to support rural women?

Anuradha Chenoy: Rural women should get access to services as there are for urban women including getting access for education, health and other services they require. The work they do, they should get the wages and value that it deserves. Their basic rights should be safeguarded.

Eurasia Diary: What is your message to our readers through Eurasia Media Network in International Day of Rural Women?

Anuradha Chenoy: Women's issues should be looked at through the year and in all aspects. Every attempt should be made to achieve equality for all women, whether these are urban, rural or any religion or class.