Under the global theme ‘For all women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment’, the night on 11 March 2025 started with a moving speech by H.E. Izabela Matuzs, EU Ambassador to Panama. In her speech, H.E. the Ambassador highlighted the importance of commemorating International Women's Day and presented the Roadmap for Women's Rights, launched this year by the EU, a strategic plan to advance gender equality and guarantee the fundamental rights of all women and girls, from the social to the economic spheres. The ambassador also underlined the relevance of women's active participation in the ecological transition and environmental challenges, a theme that will be at the heart of future EU initiatives.

After the opening remarks, the audience enjoyed a spectacular performance by the Panamanian band Afrodisíaco, known for their proposal of ‘Fusión Folclórica’, which rescues the sounds of Afro-Panamanian drums. The group, created by Miroslava Herrera and Tatiana Ríos and winner of the Silver Seagull at the Viña del Mar Festival 2016 as well as nominated for the Latin Grammy 2018, gave a concert full of energy and Caribbean flavour, with emblematic songs such as:

• ‘¿Qué te untas en el pelo?’: the band's most popular song, inspired by a traditional bullerengue song from the province of Darien, which celebrates Afro-descendant pride and uses Afro hair as a symbol of resistance and freedom.

• ‘Agua del Canal": A song in homage to the inauguration of the Expanded Panama Canal, which fuses the bullerengue drum tradition with lyrics that celebrate Panama's history and identity.

• ‘Hay que sumarse’: A cry of hope that calls for collective action to address global challenges such as climate change, poverty and inequality, advocating for sustainable development that benefits all.

• ‘Viene de Panamá’: A revamped version of this iconic song, which pays homage to the tambor atravesao, a symbol of the resistance and historical memory of the Afro-descendant people of Panama.

The music inspired a deep reflection on the importance of events like this to connect people, promote diversity and the intergenerational transfer of cultural expressions, remember the suffering of women and girls, while honouring and continuing the struggle for the rights and empowerment of all. Aphrodisiac’s drums and narrative of community and strength were the perfect expression of this struggle, showing the artists’ commitment to sustainable development and the visibility of female voices in culture and the environment in the face of persistent challenges. As stated by H.E. Ambassador Matusz, Aphrodisiac managed to create connections between the Pacific, the Caribbean and Europe, in line with the project Colonial Routes, Natural Crossroads.

The Delegation of the European Union in Panama reaffirmed its commitment to gender equality and sustainability by celebrating, through music and culture, the richness of Panamanian identity and the fundamental role of women in building a more just and equitable future.