On the occasion of October 15, the International Day of Rural Women, the Regional Development Agency (RDA) for Bjelasica, Komovi and Prokletije presents the publication “Invisible Women of Montenegro.” This document, created with the support of the U.S. Embassy, aims to draw attention to the women who are key to the survival of rural communities, yet whose work, knowledge, and contribution often remain unrecognized in official socio-economic flows.
The publication features ten authentic life stories that shed light on the daily lives of women in Northern Montenegro – from traditional housewives who have been the pillars of their holdings for decades, to young and highly educated women who have traded city life for the countryside. Through these stories, readers are introduced to the incredible strength, wisdom, and entrepreneurial spirit of women who, despite difficult working conditions and lack of infrastructure, managed to educate their children and improve their households through agriculture and rural tourism.
Special emphasis is placed on the role of women as drivers of agritourism. Their skills in food production and processing, their hospitality, and their dedication to the authenticity of the offer make them the most important link in the tourism chain of the North. For these women, rural tourism is not just a supplement to income but also a means of social inclusion – an opportunity for their work to be valued, to encounter new cultures, and to proudly present the traditional heritage of their families and regions.
Beyond promoting successful models, the “Invisible Women” initiative also raises important questions about the social and pension security of rural women, their property ownership, and the need for more concrete support measures within national and local strategies. The goal is for these women to become visible not only through the publication but also through systemic solutions that will enable them to have a dignified life and equal status in the society to which they provide an invaluable contribution.
