Women for Conservation at Half-Earth Day 2024: Amplifying Indigenous, Afro-Colombian, and Rural Latinx Colombian Women’s Voices for Global Biodiversity Action
Women for Conservation is thrilled to announce our participation in the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which will take place in our home country Colombia from October 21 to November 1, 2024, in Cali, Valle del Cauca. This pivotal event will bring together global leaders, policymakers, NGOs, Indigenous groups, and local communities to discuss and commit to concrete actions for biodiversity conservation under the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). Women for Conservation, alongside its grassroots network of rural women, is eager to contribute to these critical discussions on how biodiversity can be protected in harmony with economic and social development.
Empowering Women for Conservation Success
At COP16, Women for Conservation will highlight the power of community-based conservation, with a particular emphasis on the role of Indigenous, Afro-Colombian, and rural Latinx women in conservation. As the world gathers to assess progress toward the biodiversity targets set at COP15, we will share our experiences of enabling women in Colombia’s rural regions to become conservation leaders and remain stewards in protecting the country’s rich ecosystems. Our founder, Sara Inés Lara, will moderate a vital panel at Half-Earth Day on October 22, discussing how local knowledge, equity, and representation are essential for successful global biodiversity strategies.
Half-Earth Day 2024– Sara Inés Lara Moderates Panel: Knowledge for Life
In conjunction with COP16, Women for Conservation will proudly participate in Half-Earth Day 2024, hosted by the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation. This special event, held on October 22 at Instituto Humboldt‘s La Casa Humboldt, will be an extraordinary opportunity to discuss the global biodiversity crisis through the lens of knowledge sharing and collaboration. The theme for this year’s Half-Earth Day is “Knowledge for Life: Leveraging Knowledge to Support Global Species Conservation.”
Sara Inés Lara will moderate a crucial session, “Sharing Knowledge and Insights,” alongside esteemed speakers, including Chadiz Valentina, the first Indigenous trans woman environmental educator from Fundación ProAves and community member of the Urada Jiguamiando Indigenous Resguardo, Martha Cecilia Rosero Peña, Social Inclusion Director and Afro Descendants Fellow from Conservation International Colombia, and Lucila Castro, Executive Director from Natura Argentina. Together, they will discuss what it means to gather and share knowledge, especially across diverse communities, and how that knowledge can drive meaningful, equitable biodiversity protection.
“What does it mean to collect, integrate, and steward knowledge? These processes often vary when working with communities vs policy makers or the general public. Our speakers will share their perspectives and experiences related to championing access, inclusion, representation, equity, and respect while working to share knowledge.” – E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation
Half-Earth Day Education Workshops: The Voices of Rural Women at COP16
Women for Conservation’s presence at COP16 and Half-Earth Day is a significant milestone for our grassroots conservation efforts. Our rural women’s network will be attending the environmental education workshops held by E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation throughout the day. Our women leaders have firsthand experience working in Colombia’s most biodiverse regions, including Chadiz Valentina, an Indigenous environmental educator from the Resguardo Indígena Urada Jiguamiando. These women will provide crucial insights into how local and Indigenous knowledge can help shape global policies for conserving biodiversity.
The interactive education workshop will promote global collaboration among educators by sharing resources to celebrate Colombian conservation efforts and engage students in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) for biodiversity conservation. Participants will tackle a design challenge, use authentic scientific data, and explore data visualization techniques to enhance communication.
As the world seeks to implement the ambitious targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework, we believe in the importance of amplifying the voices of Indigenous, Afro-Colombian, and rural women at the world’s most iconic international conservation conference. They are at the frontline of conservation and suffer the worst effects of climate change. We must ensure that biodiversity is not only protected but thrives in ways that support sustainable livelihoods and community well-being.
Join Us at COP16 and Half-Earth Day
Women for Conservation is honored to be part of this international gathering in one of the world’s most biodiverse countries– our home country of Colombia! We invite our supporters and partners to join us as we share our journey of empowering women to protect nature, advance sustainable livelihoods, and foster healthy communities for healthy habitats. COP16 and Half-Earth Day are essential platforms to inspire and mobilize action toward a future where biodiversity and human well-being coexist in balance.
We are grateful for your continued support and encourage you to follow our participation in these landmark events. Together, we can ensure that biodiversity conservation is inclusive, equitable, and transformative.
We look forward to seeing you at COP16 in Cali. Please click here to RSVP for Half-Earth Day and follow us on Instagram and Facebook to follow our initiatives at COP16.