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  9 May 2026 – Agence Europe (EN) – The fire season that never ends – by Joan Borrell Mayeur
  
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  9 May 2026 – Agence Europe (FR) – Une saison des feux qui n’en finit pas – par Joan Borrell Mayeur
  
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  7 May 2026 – Al-Dustour – حرائق غابات المتوسط على وشك أن تبدأ مجدداً… بلا حدود
  
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International Women's Day

Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but is today a significant marker of development in our societies. It is widely recognised that women empowerment is a precondition for prosperous, stable and sustainable societies as strong evidence shows that improving gender equality can enhance productivity and improve the performance of businesses and institutions.

In the Euro-Mediterranean region, although significant progress has been made over the past years, gender equality remains a key issue in the region.

The following tribunes echo this call and invite to continue promoting a strong shared regional agenda, towards the enhancement of the untapped potential of our region, above all the role of women as major driving forces for change and development in all societies.

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Fathallah Sijilmassi, former SG of the UFM: Foreword

Mariano Rajoy, President of the Government of Spain: “Women Empowerment, a crucial factor for achieving peace and stability

Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, President of Malta: “Bringing the women of our Mediterranean together: in
pursuit of peace, prosperity and wellbeing”

Mariya Gabriel, European Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society: “Women’s rights are human rights”

Hala Lattouf, Minister of Social Development, Jordan: “Gender equality: a matter of social justice”

Nathalie Loiseau, French Minister for European Affairs: “Women’s leadership: a driving force for change”

Maya Morsi, President of the National Council of Women, Egypt: “Women: custodians of cultural, social and religious values”

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the WHO: “Empowering girls and women to transform entire societies”

Patricia Espinosa, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change: “Gender and climate change : need for international, national and local action “

Faten Kallel, Secretary of State responsible for Youth, Tunisia: “Empowerment of young people and women: the key to development”

Neziha Labidi, Minister of Women, Family and Childhood, Tunisia: “Overview of the Strategy for the Ministry for Women, Family
Affairs and Children regarding Women Empowerment”

Teresa Fragoso, President of the Commission for Citizenship and Gender Equality, Portugal: “Together towards the advancement of women”

Asma Lamrabet, Director of the Center for Women’s Studies in Islam in the Rabita Mohammadia des Olémas, Morocco: “Islam and women: the priorities of a reformist approach”

Delphine Borione, Permanent Representative of France to the Food and Agriculture Organization: “Promoting gender equality in the Mediterranean: a priority that has become obvious!”

Sanem Oktar, President of KAGIDER, Turkey: “Gender equality in the Mediterranean and the EU: Challenges and Recommendations”

Aida Zubčević, President of the National Association of Business Women, Bosnia and Herzegovina: “Women’s leadership, a wealth for the regional economy”

Clara Gaymard, President of the Women’s Forum, France: “Women’s access to leadership, a driver of change for a stable and prosperous Euro-Mediterranean region”

Ritxar Bacete González, Hombres por la Igualdad: “Gender equality needs men and men need equality”

Rana Dajani, Expert on Genetics of Populations, Jordan: “Role models who walk our walk”

Krizia Nardini, MenEngage Europe: “Gender justice in the Euro-Mediterranean area: Strengthening the role of women in society by engaging men and boys”

Success Story: Lina Khalifeh, Beneficiary of the UfM labelled project WOMED

Lina Khalifeh is 33 years old a passionate entrepreneur who has a background in Taekwondo, Boxing and Kung fu. She has founded SheFighter the 1st Self-Defense academy for women in Jordan and the Middle East in 2012 to empower women physically and physiologically through Self-Defense training. She has trained more than 15 thousands women and has won the Gold Award at the United Nations in 2014.

She has been mentioned and recognized by president Barack Obama during his speech at the White house in 2015 She has won Female Entrepreneur of the year in 2016 in Dubai Now Khalifeh is expanding SheFighter to reach different countries.

The story of Lina Khalifeh is framed within the project “Women of the Mediterranean: the next generation of leaders (WOMED)”, promoted by the Union for the Mediterranean and implemented by the Institute for Political Studies in Paris (Science Po). The project seeks to promote the empowerment and leadership capacities of women in the region through training, advisory and networking activities.

Co-financed by the European Union