Madrid – 19 October 2022. This morning, Executive Director Abdellatif Ghedira welcomed CEO and founder of the international network Women in Olive Oil (WiOO), Jill Myers, to IOC headquarters in Madrid. Together, they discussed opportunities for collaboration between the two institutions in line with the rules and regulations in force. He was accompanied by the Head of the Promotion Department of the Executive Secretariat, Imene Trabelsi, who is a member of the network’s Executive Committee, and the Head of the Technical Assistance and Training Department, Catarina Bairrao.
Mr Ghedira congratulated Ms Myers and her association for their considerable efforts to bolster the olive oil sector. He stressed the fundamental role of all women involved in the olive oil value chain through the education, networking and experience sharing activities they organise.
WiOO Organization (www.womeninoliveoil.org) was founded by Jill Myers, who is from the USA, in April 2020 with the aim of bringing together women working in the olive oil sector. This international network now includes more than 3000 women from all over the world.
The association describes itself as is ‘an international organization that contributes in meaningful ways to the individual, collective, and societal advancement of women through the common link of olive oil with coordinated activities and events carried out at a local and global level in olive oil producing and non‐producing countries. Its main mission is to create a common thread that unites women at all levels of the olive oil industry, bringing about positive global change in the areas of health and nutrition, education, environmental and agricultural practices, fair trade, and gender equality. This global women’s network is committed to building a platform where women can exchange knowledge, expertise, and experiences, and where they can obtain the tools and support they need to advance shared goals — in their local communities, yet with an international reach.’
Mr Ghedira told Ms Myers that the IOC encourages all initiatives of women’s olive oil networks, given the essential role of women in this sector and their important contribution to the education of future generations.