Author: Maite Iglesias (AEIDL)
On 5 March 2025, close to the International Women’s Day, the High-Level Conference on Women in Leadership: Empowering Women in a Changing World shed light on the ongoing challenges and opportunities in the fight for gender equality. Held by the European Committee of the Regions, the event underscored the crucial role of local and regional authorities in translating EU policies into tangible progress for women across all areas.
Our colleagues Maite Iglesias and Merveille Ntabuhashe, from the Rural Territorial Development team at AEIDL, were present at the conference where they had the opportunity to learn about gender equality challenges and opportunities, assess progress, and explore necessary changes.
The challenge of gender equality in leadership
Despite progress, women remain underrepresented in leadership positions in Europe. However, equal representation is vital not only for democratic strength but also for Europe’s economic competitiveness. The discussions highlighted the barriers that persist, including societal stereotypes, economic limitations, and structural inequalities that remain widespread in many sectors.
Gender imbalance in rural areas
Sari Rautio, Member of the Hämeenlinna City Council in Finland, presented a case study from Lusatia, a rural region in Germany, demonstrating how economic and demographic changes, including deindustrialization, have exacerbated gender disparities.
These shifts have left women with fewer opportunities and greater social responsibilities. Sari Rautio, emphasised the need for local support networks, political backing, and investment to ensure women can thrive in rural and transitioning economies.
EU Vision for agriculture and Food
In line with this discourse, the new EU Vision for Agriculture and Food includes the need of attracting more women to farming, ensuring fair living and working conditions for women in agriculture, protecting the rights of workers on farms and along the food value chain. It provides that it will be established a ‘Women in Farming’ platform to strengthen women’s engagement and equal opportunities in the farming sector, as well as to serve as a forum to discuss and exchange good practices.
By focusing on these areas, the EU seeks to promote a more equitable agri-food sector for women, which is crucial for the sustainability and development of rural areas.
From words to action: building a future of equality
The conference set the stage for further discussions, including the upcoming Gender Equality Week in December. As we celebrate International Women’s Day on the 8th of March and the International Day of Rural Women’s on 15 October, this event serves as a powerful reminder that true gender equality requires continuous effort, commitment, and decisive action.
The conference’s discussions offer a valuable starting point for addressing gender inequalities and ensuring that women can lead in every sector. Through continued investment in data, digital tools, and support networks, we can create a more inclusive and sustainable future for women in rural areas and agricultural communities.
Watch the event live here.
Watch the video Empowering women in rural areas: a key to rural development with Ellen Nauta Van-Moorsel, member of the European Committee of the Regions and Mayor of the municipality of Hof van Twente, and Blanca Casares, Rural Development Officer at European Association for Innovation in Local Development (AEIDL), on the role of women in rural areas.
Connect with the European Policy Forum for women-led innovation in agriculture and rural areas coordinated by AEIDL (European Association for Innovation in Local Development) and Copa-Cogeca.
