Why?
One million species are at risk of extinction within this century. The UN has recognized women’s empowerment as essential to protecting the earth’s biodiversity.
Who?
Rural women suffer disproportionately from the effects of climate change and environmental degradation. Empowering women with eco-friendly opportunities directly benefits people and nature.
How?
We empower women with environmentally sustainable economic, educational, and health resources which holistically benefit communities and critical biodiversity.
Caracol Radio Interview – International Women’s Day ft. co-founders Isabella and Sara
Bringing the Yellow-eared
parrot back from the
brink of extinction
Women for Conservation’s founder and president, Sara Inés Lara, tells the incredible story of saving a critically endangered species from extinction through community-led action and collaboration with women’s leadership. Saving the Yellow-Eared Parrot enabled Sara and our partner organization, ProAves, to establish a network of nature reserves in Colombia in close collaboration with local women leaders.
Family Planning that Empowers Women and Saves Species
Connecting the dots between family planning, conservation, and women’s empowerment. Women for Conservation was born from our commitment to empower…
Women for Conservation chosen for IUCN membership
Women for Conservation has officially been chosen as a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)! The IUCN is the world’s oldest and largest environmental network, uniting more than 1,400 government and non-governmental organizations and more than 18,000 experts in over 170 countries.
“This membership is a dream come true! It will allow us to advocate for rural women disproportionately burdened by climate challenges, and bring the topic of voluntary family planning access to this global platform. We cannot wait to start joining commissions and bringing Colombian women’s voices to the decision-making table.”
– Isabella Cortes Lara
What Our Program Participants Say
When I got pregnant, I was too embarrassed to stay in school. If I had heard about the family planning clinic earlier, I could have avoided pregnancy. I’m not going to have another one now, that would only set me back more. In the future I’d like to study and I also want my children to study. If the mother succeeds, her children can as well, they can do what I didn’t manage to do.
I am a father of two children and I consider it to be sufficient, considering what is happening to the planet now; furthermore, for economic and sustainability reasons, I believe there are very few natural resources for such a large population. This is a way to conserve the planet and ensure equity for those of us who inhabit it.
I chose to get the implant because I have already lost two babies, one in 2020 and another in 2021. It was so painful. But this implant lets me decide when to have my children. Now I can study, work, see the world, and in the future I can have children when I have a job and when I’m able to give my child more opportunities. But right now I’m looking after myself so that I can study and not have to worry about getting pregnant.
I decided to undergo vasectomy to contribute to the conservation of our planet, preventing overpopulation. I am certain of the importance of our role in family planning so that it does not become solely the responsibility of women.
Personally, I decided to get the implant because it's necessary to prevent unwanted and early pregnancies. This program has helped us a lot because here in our community, there are many many girls who haven't finished school, and they’re already pregnant. Their boyfriends leave them, they don’t live together, and so this program really helps us, because for a certain amount of time we can avoid getting pregnant. I believe that this program has been very good for all of us.
Our Recent News
Women’s Empowerment
through Family Planning
We focus our efforts on introducing family planning to communities in critical biodiversity areas, where preserving natural habitats and resources is key to saving unique species on the edge of extinction. We facilitate with women’s groups in key communities access to reproductive methods for family planning. In doing so, we seek to empower women and young women, increasing their future opportunities, while alleviating poverty and protecting natural resources.
Nature Conservation
We empower women and girls to lead in the field of conservation by providing them with environmental education, training, and resources to implement conservation projects.
We are directly involved in acquiring critical habitats and restoring ecosystems essential to endangered species survival.
Sustainable Livelihoods
Lacking economic opportunities, many rural communities turn to agriculture, cattle ranching, logging, and other activities that are detrimental to the environment and local biodiversity.
As an eco-friendly alternative, Women for Conservation trains women in sustainable livelihoods, such as working as nature guides for ecotourism, forest guards for nature reserves, and establishing artisanal micro-businesses.
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