In 2012, building on the experience of previous specific projects, CIHEAM Bari has launched a THEMATIC NETWORK named G.EM.NET (Gender empowerment for a sustainable rural development). This network has the main purpose of disseminate information, exchange experiences and keep the institutional dialogue with the Mediterranean Countries at a local, national, regional level on the themes of women’s empowerment and gender equality related to sustainable rural development.

The thematic areas covered by the Network are essentially:

• Gender issues related to agriculture, natural resources, sustainable development;

• Gender issues and Capacity building, decision making, institutional cooperation;

• The economic and social role of women in the Mediterranean Countries.

Starting from February 2017 a new series of NEWSLETTERS will be released in order to gather more attention and a participatory discussion around these issues. GEMNET is increasingly interacting with other international organizations, institutions, and projects in order to extend its range of action, gather contacts and promoting synergies. Therefore we are looking forward and open to having the contribution of others that may be interested in this topic. To share with us any written contribution or multimedia material that could be published in the next edition of our Newsletter in February, please write to gemnet@iamb.it or fill the on-line form at the following link: https://goo.gl/forms/cLC8efN73tUNN7vN2