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The World Olive Day to focus on the role of women in the olive oil sector
CIHEAM > AGENDAS > The World Olive Day to focus on the role of women in the olive oil sector
  • The International Olive Oil Council (IOC) and the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM) are joining forces to organise the next World Olive Day (WDO) celebration.
  • This year, the World Olive Day will focus on the vital role of women in the olive oil sector. The celebration will take place on 23 November at the IOC headquarters in Madrid.

The World Olive Day was proclaimed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) at its General Conference in 2019 and on the occasion of its 40th session. Both the IOC and CIHEAM wish to dedicate World Olive Day 2023 to the vital role played by women in the olive sector and throughout the olive oil production chain, from cultivation to the moment it reaches our tables.

To this end, the two intergovernmental organisations have joined forces with a number of women's associations working in the olive oil sector and representing a variety of geographical areas, including the Women in Olive Oil network in the USA, the Arab and Jordanian Olive Oil Women's Network, the Women & Olives LATAM network and the Italian associations Pandolea and Donne dell'Olio. In addition to offering their support in various aspects related to the organisation of the WOD 2023, these networks are actively collaborating in the collection of videos that represent the members of their associations as they contribute their hard work to olive oil production around the world and at all stages. The deadline for video submissions is 29 October, after which the organisers will begin work on a compilation to be shown to guests attending the WOD.

Sunday 29 October is also an important milestone in the organisation of the WOD for another reason: it is also the deadline for the receipt of entries for the international artwork competition launched by the IOC and CIHEAM. Everyone around the world is invited to participate in this graphic artwork competition which aims to highlight and celebrate the fundamental contribution of women to the olive oil sector. More information about the competition can be found here. The best artworks will be presented during the WOD ceremony, and the two finalists will be invited to Madrid to attend the celebration in person.

The IOC and CIHEAM have also prepared other exciting events to celebrate World Olive Day 2023 and women's contributions to the olive world, such as a tasting of traditional olive oil dishes from around the world.

CIHEAM has made gender equality a key pillar of its work in recent years. Among other important projects, CIHEAM has published innovative analyses that shed light on the current state of women's empowerment and gender equality in the Mediterranean region and beyond, such as its report 'Gender Equality in the Mediterranean Region' (CIHEAM, 2022) and its joint publication with the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) on 'Strengthening the Role of Women in Rural and Agricultural Areas - Obstacles and Opportunities' (CIHEAM, 2018). Indeed, women's active participation is crucial to safeguard food security, as they represent 43% of the global agricultural labour force (CIHEAM, 2022).