As part of the contacts between associative organizations of women in the European agricultural and maritime sector, this afternoon an international meeting to exchange experiences between women from the rural and maritime world of Catalonia, Italy, Portugal, and Romania.

The Director General of Agriculture and Livestock of the Department, Elisenda Guillaumes, presided over the event, accompanied by the Director of Territorial Services, Elisabet Sánchez. Guillaumes presented the Women's Program of the Rural and Maritime World of Catalonia, and Elisabet Sánchez made known the organization of the Catalan agricultural and maritime administration and its support for the sector. On behalf of the Department, Eva Torrentà and Teresa Colell also participated, representing the Rural Women's Territorial Action Group of Girona.

Thus, Elisenda Guillaumes wanted to highlight the III Rural and Maritime Women's Program of Catalonia 2022-2025, drawn up by the Department, "one of the tools that is further proof of our support and commitment to women in the primary sector and with public policies that promote, recognize and consolidate their role and contribution because their role is fundamental in this sector, which is strategic for the country".

The international participation in the meeting has included the associations Euro Project Lab Srls from Italy, Form2you from Portugal, and TON Foundation, and Romanian Women's LOBBY from Romania, delegations totaling 25 people. It is worth noting that his visit is part of the European ABLE project, which is co-financed by the European Commission, which aims to empower and give digital support to women in rural areas through the platform www.a- betterlife.eu, created by the Gironina company Blue Room Innovation SL, which also collaborates with the initiative.

And the Catalan participation has included the Rural Women's Association, the Maritime Women's Association, and Ramaderes.cat, in order to exchange experiences, get to know their organizations, and analyze the barriers to the presence of women in associative decision-making bodies.

In addition, the Associació d'Iniciatives Rurales de Catalunya (ARCA), the regional network for rural development in Catalonia, also participated in the meeting and explained its involvement and actions in the rural environment.