About 80 aquaculture sector professionals met in the first call held by Women in Chilean Aquaculture (WICA) in Puerto Varas.
With a high turnout and an atmosphere marked by collaboration, reflection and enthusiasm, the first meeting of Women in Chilean Aquaculture (WICA) was held on 13 January in Puerto Varas, a new network that seeks to highlight, connect and strengthen the role of women in the national aquaculture industry.
The event began with the arrival of the participants and a warm welcome by the organizers Ana María Moris, Liane Bassini and Rayen Collipal, followed by the official opening led by the master of ceremonies, Alin Casado. From the start, the meeting made its purpose clear: to create a space of trust, exchange and collective construction among women who are today transforming aquaculture from different angles. areas.
One of the key moments of the day was the presentation "WICA: What do we want to be?", presented by Francisca Araya Kutscher, one of the main promoters of this initiative.
From this technical and strategic experience, Araya shared WICA's vision as a network that seeks to enhance female leadership, promote intersectoral collaboration and generate real opportunities for professional development. Alongside her, the driving group of this initiative includes Karina Gajardo, Rayen Collipal, Ana María Moris, Liane Bassini, Alin Casado and Paula Carvajal.
After the presentation, a dialogue space was opened where the participants could share their views, concerns and expectations, generating an honest and participatory conversation about the challenges faced by women in the industry and the opportunities for change.
The session continued with an international presentation titled "Participation and trajectories from a gender perspective in aquaculture: bases for a Brazil–Chile study", presented by Karoline Moreira Barbuio. Karoline has participated in studies on the participation of women in Brazilian aquaculture and is currently undertaking an academic exchange in Chile, where she is conducting research focused on the professional trajectories of women in the aquaculture sector, with a comparative look between both countries.
Its presentation allowed the conversation to expand to a regional dimension, highlighting shared patterns, gaps and opportunities between Chile and Brazil, and opening the way for future research collaborations.
Subsequently, a proposal for collective participation in this study was presented, inviting the attendees to co-create new questions and approaches that reflect the diversity of experiences in the sector.
The meeting closed with the first WICA workshop, led by Karina Gajardo, representative of the Empoderadas initiative, where participants answered an interactive survey that allowed gathering key information on interests, challenges and priorities for the network.
The closing was handled by all the founders, who went on stage to thank the attendance and reaffirm WICA's commitment to creating an active, influential community with real impact in the industry.
The day ended with the official photo of WICA Network and a coffee and conversation session, where the first links were consolidated of what promises to become a national network.
This first meeting marks the start of a movement that seeks not only to highlight female talent in aquaculture, but also to generate data, networks, mentoring and spaces for influence for a diverse, inclusive and sustainable industry.
