Published 16 September 2026 | Community

TL;DR: The University of Almeria and CASI Cooperative honoured the pioneering women of local agriculture with their fifth annual gender equality event, reflecting on past contributions and exploring the future of female leadership in agro-cooperatives.

Celebrating Women Pioneers in Almeria Agriculture

Honouring Pioneering Women

This year’s fifth edition of the Equality Conference jointly organised by the University of Almeria (UAL) and the CASI Cooperative took place on Wednesday, focusing on gender equality within the social economy, especially the agro-food sector. Coinciding with the International Year of Women Farmers, the event paid special tribute to the women of CASI who have been instrumental in the cooperative’s growth and the development of Almeria’s cooperative agricultural landscape. These women, often unrecognised, have worked the land for decades, supported their families, and contributed decisively to both the cooperative’s success and the wider sector’s evolution.

Institutional Support and Perspectives

The opening session featured key figures including Inmaculada Lopez, Director of UAL’s Equality Unit, Antonio Bretones, President of CASI, Aranzazu Martin, Territorial Delegate for Agriculture, and research lead Maria Jose Gonzalez Moreno. A message from Aicha Belassir, Director General of Social Economy at Spain’s Ministry of Labour, was shared via video. Lopez emphasised the importance of recognising women’s essential role while pushing for greater female representation in leadership and decision-making. Bretones highlighted CASI’s near gender parity in membership and the historic role of women within the cooperative structure, noting the growing presence of women in executive roles. Meanwhile, Martin acknowledged progress in women’s active participation and land ownership but stressed the need to address their underrepresentation in governance within agricultural and fishing sectors.

Challenges and Opportunities in Gender Equality

Maria Jose Gonzalez Moreno reflected on the ongoing challenges faced by women in agriculture, acknowledging the historical invisibility of their contributions. She called for actions to acknowledge these pioneers who worked without formal ownership or leadership roles. While significant legal and educational advances supporting equality have been made—supported by European funding and the UN’s 2030 Agenda—the absence of equal representation in practice remains a hurdle. The conference’s roundtable session, moderated by Ángeles Arjona Garrido and featuring experts Rosario Cañabate and Adoracion Mozas Moral, further explored these issues. The discussion pinpointed barriers women face in accessing leadership within cooperatives, emphasizing the potential of cooperative structures to foster genuine equality and empower female leaders.

Exhibition and Reflections on Leadership

Following the plenary debate, attendees moved to the Patio de los Naranjos for the opening of a photography exhibition titled “Pioneering and Resilient Women of CASI Cooperative.” This exhibit brought historical female members’ legacies to the forefront. Later, writer and speaker Yolanda Saenz de Tejada delivered a keynote titled “Believing in Ourselves: Female Leadership, Visibility, and Talent to Transform Cooperativism.” Her talk encouraged reflection on the importance of confidence, visibility, and active participation for women as transformative forces within cooperativism and society in general.

A Commitment to Future Equality

The collaborative effort between UAL and CASI serves not only to honour past achievements but also to inspire ongoing progress for women in Almeria’s cooperative agricultural community. The event highlighted how the province’s unique farming model—characterised by relatively small landholdings—creates tangible opportunities for shared ownership and female involvement. With institutional backing and a growing awareness of gender equality’s importance, the region is positioned to advance more inclusive and representative leadership moving forward, fostering sustainable growth within its vital agricultural sector.

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