A seminar on “Digitisation: an opportunity for rural women's employment” took place in Ciudad Real, Spain from 9-11 February 2026, organised by Afammer (Confederación Nacional de Federación y Asociaciones de Familias y Mujeres del Medio Rural - National Confederation of Federations and Associations of Families and Women in Rural Areas), in cooperation with EZA and financed by the European Union.
“Digitalisation is transforming our lives in all aspects of our working and personal environment, but this process is not the same across all regions; while cities enjoy very fast services and connections, we in rural areas are still struggling to obtain basic connectivity. This digital divide not only limits access to the Internet but also determines the economic and social development opportunities of millions of people.”
This European seminar kicked off on 10 February with the official opening attended by the Co-President of EZA, Piergiorgio Sciacqua, and the Honourable City Council of Ciudad Real, represented by its Deputy Mayor, José Escobedo, and the national President of AFAMMER, Carmen Quintanilla.
The seminar discussed the following topics:
- Thinking about AI: Approaches to learning, creating and dealing with the digital world
“We must use critical thinking and a spirit of equality to bring new technological tools closer to the educational sphere. We must play an active role in teaching new technologies and use AI as a support in our teaching activities.”
- Strategies of the European digital system: Workers’ organisations offer a vision for the future
"Companies who want to thrive in the digital marketplace must employ staff with specialised digital knowledge, incorporate more female talent into the human capital, and improve the legal framework for workers on digital platforms."
- Digitalisation: A new era and a new mindset
“AI is an extremely powerful tool that can be of great help to us, although we must first understand its risks and limitations and be able to exploit the benefits and also counteract the potential harm it may cause.”
- Digitalisation: A driver of transformation in rural areas
“Digitalisation is a key driver of rural transformation, which boosts sustainability, the economy (greater efficiency and productivity) and the quality of life in depopulated regions that need young people, but it does require investment, actions that promote transformation, and the digitisation of public services.”
- The reliable and efficient use of AI
“Technology is only meaningful when it is designed and applied with people in mind. It is essential to listen to people in rural areas who are engaged in the process and to develop solutions that address the real challenges they face regarding AI to trigger a real transformation in rural development.”
At the closing event, the participants had the honour and pleasure of the presence of the Delegate for Equality of the JCCM (Regional Government of Castilla–La Mancha) in Ciudad Real, Manoli Nieto, President of the Honourable Provincial Council of Ciudad Real, Miguel Angel Valverde, Deputy Government Delegate, David Broceño, President of the Popular Party in Castilla La Mancha, Paco Nuñez and the Secretary General of the FEMP (Federación Española de Municipios y Provincias - Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces), Luis Martínez-Sicluna.
CONCLUSIONS
This seminar demonstrates that digitalisation is an historic opportunity to transform rural areas, but also represents a challenge that requires commitment, investment and a human vision of technology.
The keynote address highlighted how artificial intelligence and new digital tools must be incorporated into education with critical thinking, equality and support. Technology only helps us when it is used for learning, creating and dealing with life, and if it is accessible to all, including those of us who live in rural areas.
If we want to thrive in the digital marketplace, we clearly need companies with staff trained in digital skills, more female talent in the human capital and a legal framework that protects those who work on digital platforms. Digitalisation cannot advance if it overtakes the rights of workers.
The panel discussions analysed the new era, the new mindset and the risks and limitations of artificial intelligence. It is a powerful tool that we must understand, regulate and use responsibly. We can exploit the benefits of AI but must also know how to prevent potential harm.
We must ensure that equal opportunities are available to all if we want to connect the rural sphere to the digital future. The panel discussions on digitalisation as a driver of rural transformation highlighted that technology boosts sustainability, the economy and the quality of life in regions that need young people to remain there.
However, for this to become a reality, we require investment, digitised public services and practical measures to accompany the change. The final panel discussions focused on the reliable and effective use of artificial intelligence, and we agreed that technology is only useful when it is designed in collaboration with people, we listen to those who live in rural areas, understand their challenges, and develop solutions adapted to that rural environment. It is crucial for artificial intelligence to make a genuine contribution to development in rural areas.
We took some key ideas away: Digitisation is not merely technology, it is social connection, innovative employment and a future for our towns. The digital divide remains a reality, and we must address it with connectivity, training and accessible resources.
Women in rural areas are vital actors in this transformation, without whom there is no future, and without rural areas nobody has a future. Artificial intelligence must be used in an ethical, safe and transparent way, while safeguarding workers’ rights and avoiding the emergence of new inequalities. Europe, institutions, businesses and civil society must work together to ensure that digitalisation reaches all regions without exception.
We at Afammer are reaffirming our commitment to the digital empowerment of women in rural areas which will sow the seeds of future innovation and social justice in our various regions. We are now taking another step towards connecting the digital rural world with equal opportunities.