The quality of life of rural women and the issues they grapple with on a daily basis is the focus of a new study by a group of social researchers at Charles Sturt University (CSU).

Health, education, employment, experiences of violence, caring responsibilities, access to transport and telecommunications support services will all be examined during the study by the Gender, Women and Social Policy research group at CSU.

"We are working closely with rural women across NSW to establish a broad picture of the quality of life of women in rural areas," said the research group’s Professor Margaret Alston.

“We aim to encourage dialogue between researchers and the wider community about shared concerns and interests affecting rural women's wellbeing. We are currently liaising with a range of groups including practitioners of women's services but we need more information from individual women," added Professor Alston.

A random telephone survey of rural women in NSW will be conducted in August by experienced interviewers No names will be collected and all the information will be completely confidential.

"The results will be published so that issues affecting rural women are made clear to the wider community," said Professor Alston.