Rural Women, Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Food Systems: In Zaragoza, the CIHEAM Reaffirms Its Commitments to Support Initiatives
From 10 to 13 June 2025, the CIHEAM Zaragoza and the Union for the Mediterranean, in partnership with the CIHEAM General Secretariat and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), organised the International Symposium "Women's Empowerment through Innovation in Mediterranean Agro-Food Systems" in Zaragoza.
This scientific, technical and professional event brought together over a hundred participants from 15 countries (mainly from the Mediterranean region) as well as international organisations (FAO, OECD, European Commission, EESC, ICARDA, IWMI, GWP-Med), and representatives from civil society, the business and innovation sectors.
Over the course of three days, discussions highlighted the persistent inequalities faced by rural women: limited access to resources, training, land, financing, and decision-making processes. The exchanges also provided the opportunity to showcase initiatives led by women, particularly in the fields of innovation and agricultural entrepreneurship. These replicable experiences clearly demonstrate women's capacity to sustainably transform Mediterranean agri-food systems and to be equitably integrated into value chains when not hindered bu structural barriers.
As the International Year of the Woman Farmer in 2026 approaches, the Symposium laid solid foundations for the implementation of transformative interventions in various Mediterranean contexts.
Watch the sessions again
The Role of Multilateral Organizations in Promoting Women-Led Innovation in Rural Areas
Major Challenges and Transformative Approaches for Rural and Agricultural Women in the Mediterranean
Educational and Economic Needs for Women's Empowerment and Innovation
Women's Empowerment and Agri-food Innovation in Spain
Successful Models for Strengthening Women's Participation and Innovation in Agri-food Systems
Workshop on Social and Technological Innovation for Women Entrepreneurs in the Agri-food Value Chain
"Women are still too often made invisible by a system that it is collectively up to us to change – and that CIHEAM is committed to changing"
Teodoro Miano
A Reinforced CIHEAM Commitment to Equality and Equity
During the closing session, the Secretary General of CIHEAM, Mr. Teodoro Miano, praised the commitment of the participants and partners. He stressed that "the empowerment of women is not only a moral obligation but also an essential lever for the transformation of rural territories and food sovereignty in the Mediterranean." He also reiterated that women are still too often made invisible by a system that it is collectively up to us to change – and that CIHEAM is committed to changing. On this occasion, three priority commitments of CIHEAM were reaffirmed:
- Strengthen the integration of a gender perspective in the implementation of CIHEAM's 2030 Strategic Action Plan, by reinforcing this approach in the Organization's training courses, cooperation projects, research activities and publications.
- Support innovation ecosystems and women's entrepreneurship, through concrete actions of expertise sharing, technology transfer, support for incubators, as well as through a professional training offer adapted to the realities of the territories.
- Promote a sustainable scientific and political dialogue, aiming to evolve social norms, reduce structural inequalities, and ensure the full and effective participation of rural women in agricultural, food and environmental policies.
In this regard, with a view to the International Year of the Woman Farmer, proclaimed for 2026, CIHEAM called on its Member States, partners and all actors in the region to redouble their efforts to build more inclusive, resilient and innovative Mediterranean agricultural and food systems. The Organization intends to fully contribute to this dynamic through the implementation of new initiatives, driven by a shared ambition: to make equality a condition and a driving force for the transformation of Mediterranean agri-food systems.
Closing Speech