Andalusia establishes the “Rural and Maritime Women’s Roundtable” to strengthen their participation in public policies


Andalucía constituye la “Mesa de Mujeres Rurales y del Mar” para reforzar su participación en las políticas públicas

05 de March de 2026

Mujeres

The “Rural and Maritime Women’s Roundtable” was created as a space for dialogue, monitoring and proposals on equality.


  • The “Rural and Maritime Women’s Roundtable” was created as a space for dialogue, monitoring and proposals on equality.
  • The new body fulfills the Statute of Rural and Maritime Women approved by the Andalusian Parliament in November 2024

Andalusia is a predominantly rural autonomous community, with 94% of its territory comprised of rural municipalities. Consequently, agriculture and fishing play a crucial role in employment. Women account for 27.3% of agricultural employment and 22% of fishing employment.

In this context, the Regional Government of Andalusia has officially established the “Rural and Maritime Women’s Roundtable,” a new participatory body that will channel the voice of this group in the design, implementation, and evaluation of public policies related to the agricultural and fisheries sectors. The creation of this forum fulfills the provisions of the Law on the Statute of Rural and Maritime Women , approved last year by the Andalusian Parliament, and represents a further step in its effective implementation.

Functions

The Roundtable is established as a forum for dialogue between the Andalusian administration and representative associations of rural and maritime women. Its purpose is to strengthen the practical application of the Statute and translate its principles into concrete measures. Its main functions are:

  • To act as a permanent forum for dialogue between entities and administration.

  • Identify needs and forward them to the relevant bodies.

  • Actively participate in the implementation of the Statute .

  • Formulate proposals and suggestions on public initiatives.

  • Promote the monitoring and evaluation of the actions carried out.

The Andalusian Executive has indicated that this new space should translate into measurable progress such as increased shared ownership of farms, greater female presence in decision-making bodies, more support for rural and fishing entrepreneurship, as well as greater access to training, innovation and digitalization.

The Board has also approved a manifesto of support for the initiative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) , which has declared 2026 as the “International Year of the Woman Farmer” .

Updated progress

The meeting also focused on recent policies aimed at promoting the entry of women into the sector. In the latest call for proposals for young farmers, with a budget of €130 million, a specific allocation of €15 million was reserved for women . The data reveals that:

  • Of the 2,910 applications for youth assistance, 988 correspond to women (34%).

  • More than 700 female farmers and ranchers have received aid to modernize their farms.

  • The aid has enabled the acquisition of new machinery and equipment.

These figures show progress in the presence of women, although structural gaps still persist in certain productive areas.

Composition

The Board will be chaired by the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Consolación Vera Sánchez, and will have a vice-chair held by the General Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock and Food. Representatives from women's associations in the agricultural, fisheries and rural development sectors will also be part of the body, as well as members from the various departments of the Ministry. The participating entities are:

The operational procedures of the Committee will be as follows:

  1. It will meet at least once a year in ordinary session.

  2. Extraordinary sessions may be held.

  3. Agreements will be adopted by simple majority.

  4. In case of a tie, the Presidency will have the deciding vote.