Solidarity, Justice, and the Dignity of Rural Communities
Each year on April 17, the International Day of Peasant Struggles highlights the solidarity, resilience, and rights of rural populations around the world. This day also recalls the adoption, in 2018 by the United Nations, of the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas.
This international framework aims to better protect the fundamental rights of rural communities—including farmers, Indigenous peoples, fishers, and agricultural workers—by ensuring access to land, water, seeds, education, and healthcare.
A Legacy Marked by the Struggle for Justice
This day commemorates the Eldorado do Carajás massacre in Brazil in 1996, when 21 landless workers were killed while demanding agrarian reform. For nearly 30 years, this tragic event has symbolized the ongoing fight against injustice and violence experienced by rural communities.
The international movement La Via Campesina continues this mobilization by denouncing inequalities linked to land concentration, the impacts of agribusiness, and violations of community rights.
Food Sovereignty and Social Justice
Peasant struggles are at the heart of today’s issues of social justice and food sovereignty. Currently, nearly 70% of the world’s food supply comes from the work of small-scale farmers, underscoring their essential role in our societies.
In 2026, the International Year of Women Farmers, recognized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), highlights the critical contribution of women to food production and the protection of their territories. This recognition also calls for stronger support of their rights and action against the violence they face.
Values That Reflect the Mission of the SNJM
The issues raised by this day strongly resonate with the values of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM), who are committed to human dignity, solidarity, and social justice.
Supporting vulnerable communities, promoting equity, and encouraging development that respects both people and creation are at the heart of their mission.
Learn, Engage, and Take Action
Several organizations mark this day, including Development and Peace with its campaign “On the Path to Justice.” The La Via Campesina website also offers resources in English, French, and Spanish to better understand current struggles and issues related to food sovereignty.
On this international day, everyone is invited to learn more and take meaningful action to support a more just, compassionate, and rights-based world.