• The National Rural Network (RRN) is organizing the conference "Exchange of LEADER experiences: rural women in the areas of conciliation, co-responsibility, gender perspective, social economy, and sustainability."
• The meeting is part of the RRN's actions aimed at raising awareness of the work of rural women.

Rural women: driving forces of their territories. That's why the National Rural Network (RRN) is focusing its Action Plan these months on women's issues, through a series of activities designed to address their needs.

Under this umbrella, the RRN has convened a LEADER-focused conference aimed at identifying gender equality projects implemented throughLocal Action Groups (LAGs). from the different rural territories: “Exchange of LEADER experiences: rural women in the areas of conciliation, co-responsibility, gender perspective, social economy and sustainability” .

Its objectives are:

• Learn about the experiences of projects led by women , both LEADER projects and other inspiring experiences.
• Reflect on the opportunities that new social, economic, and environmental scenarios present for rural development, and the role of women in them.
• Identify actions to be developed in rural areas that combine the advancement of women, the socioeconomic progress of populations, and environmental sustainability.

Program

The day began with a talk titled "The Role of Women in Rural Areas" by Milagros Alario Trigueros, a member of the Chair of Gender Studies and the Rural World Research Group of Excellence at the University of Valladolid.

At the event, Milagros explained that more and more women are working in agricultural activities, and more are taking up entrepreneurship to overcome the difficulties of rural areas. She also highlighted the sectors and percentages in which women are innovating :

• 60% are dedicated to services to the population
• 50% offer tourist services
• Only 30% have become farm managers
• Ecological activities and land restoration

Milagros also explained the reasons why women are the ones who are mainly migrating from rural areas:

• Due to difficulties in developing their life project: an unfriendly and less tolerant environment towards them
• For the permanence of patriarchal models through the assignment of reproductive roles to women and caregivers in the home

During the remainder of the seminar, participants were able to learn about the multitude of LEADER projects and inspiring projects in this area across the country, such as:

1. In terms of conciliation, co-responsibility and gender perspective :
   • ETXEZAIN . Network of Rural Women of Álava (Basque Country).
   • IGUALAB . LEADER cooperation project (Andalusia-Navarra).
   • Construction of Positive Masculinities . (Castilla-La Mancha).
2. In terms of social and solidarity economy :
   • COOPERACTIV@S (Castile and León).
   • Essencies - Experiential tourism at origin inspired by the social economy (Valencian Community).
3. In terms of bioeconomy and sustainability :
   • PIORNEDO TEITOS . GDR cooperation. MONTES E VALES ORIENTAIS ASSOCIATION (Galicia).
   • Ecotourism in Castilla-La Mancha . GAL Alcudia Valley (Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha).

All the information about this meeting can be found here .