National premiere of documentary "Women from the Sea - Azores" scheduled for July 7 in Horta - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Saúde e Segurança Social

The documentary "Women from the Sea – Azores," directed by Raquel Martins for Help Images and sponsored by the Regional Government through the Regional Secretariat for Health and Social Security, portrays the social, professional, cultural and, above all, emotional connection between the Azoreans and the sea  It provides a unique perspective through the eyes of Azorean women and/or women who, although not born in the Region, chose to live here.

This work, which will premiere nationally at the Teatro Faialense, in Horta, on July 7, achieves a double purpose set by the Regional Government: promoting gender equality and promoting the Azores sea, which represents almost 60% of the national Exclusive Economic Zone (57%) and approximately 30% of the European. Its importance is fundamental for promoting the sustainable development of the Region, the country and the European Union, and for harnessing the potential of the blue economy.

Among the 17 Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations General Assembly, the documentary addresses two in particular: promoting gender equality, with the empowerment of all women, and protecting marine life.

Regarding the former, although all Azoreans have a deep, visceral and unavoidable connection with the sea that stretches to the horizon, it is a source of livelihood for many families. It is also the last frontier that challenges scientists and academics - historically, it has long been associated with the male world, from the whalers of yesteryear to the fishermen of today, to the first scientists and sportsmen who dived into its depths and challenged its waves, but much has changed in the meantime.

This documentary proves that change is still possible, encouraging girls and young women to recognise themselves in what is a literal sea of opportunities, which is also their legacy and may well be their future, whether as fishers, surfers, scientists, whale watching tourism promoters or as entrepreneurs in the maritime transport or energy sectors, in an endless sea of opportunities that unfolds before our eyes.

As for the protection of marine life, the Azoreans have always shown great respect for the sea and its fauna and flora. Even though traditional whaling did not threaten cetaceans with extinction, unlike other massive industrial whaling practices around the world, the locals still managed to reinvent themselves and transformed whaling into whale watching, factories into cultural facilities, and boats into sports and recreational vessels.

The protection of marine life is one of the main pillars of the Azorean economy.

With this documentary, the Regional Government joins Help Images to pay tribute to the women from the sea in the Region.