ICARDA Champions Women in Masar Al’an Dialogues

ICARDA is proud to contribute to the first edition of the Masar Al’an Dialogues, a landmark event dedicated to empowering women as key economic actors in Mediterranean agriculture. Organized by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) and the European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed), in collaboration with Casa Árabe and Casa Mediterráneo, the dialogues will convene diverse stakeholders to advance inclusive and sustainable agricultural development.

A highlight of the program will be the context‑setting presentation: “Recognizing Women as Economic Actors in Mediterranean Agriculture”

• Dina Najjar, Senior Gender Scientist, ICARDA
• Alun Jones, Head of Projects, CIHEAM Zaragoza

This session will spotlight the critical yet under‑recognized role of women as producers, entrepreneurs, and job creators. It will address the gap between women’s economic contributions and their institutional recognition, laying the foundation for policies that position women as central agents of sustainability, resilience, and innovation in Mediterranean agriculture.

The event will feature five dynamic discussions:

• Women’s Recognition, Voice, and Leadership in Governance
• Women in Agri‑Food Value Chains
• Access to Land, Assets, and Productive Resources
• Gender‑Responsive Financing and Investment
• Access to Knowledge, Innovation, and Extension Systems

The dialogues will conclude with a technical session led by Arnau Gallard (IEMed), followed by closing remarks from representatives of AECID, IEMed, Casa Árabe, and Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture.

By contributing to the Masar Al’an Dialogues and engaging in the discussions, ICARDA underscores its commitment to advancing gender equality in agriculture and supporting policies that recognize women as central actors in building resilience and sustainability across the Mediterranean region.