In an effort to strengthen regional alliances and promote female leadership in conservation, Women for Conservation participated in the Third Meeting of the Network of Women in Water and Forest Conservation held by Amazonia que Late in Peru. Our organization was represented by Kelly Julio Donado, Project Coordinator for Women for Conservation in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. She shared the experience of rural Colombian women working on community conservation and gender empowerment.
The event brought together more than 50 women leaders from the Tropical Andes Hotspot, from regions such as Piura, Cajamarca, Amazonas, San Martín, Loreto, Ucayali, Pasco, Junín, Huánuco, Madre de Dios, Cusco and Arequipa in Peru, with the purpose of building capacities, exchanging knowledge and charting a joint route to consolidate the Network of Women in Water and Forest Conservation.
During the working and social sessions, the participants addressed key issues such as sustainability, the bioeconomy (using biotechnology and organic materials in the production of goods, services, and energy), monitoring environmental crimes, communication and environmental awareness, equitable community conservation, and female leadership.
For Women for Conservation, this meeting represented a fundamental opportunity to coordinate efforts between Colombia and Peru, learn about conservation experiences led by women in different territories, and promote a regional network that fosters the protection of biodiversity and the strengthening of communities. As part of the conference, women leaders took to the public stage to share their stories, proposals and dreams, highlighting the essential role of women in the defense of water, forests and life.
From Women for Conservation we thank Amazonians for the Amazon (AMPA) for the invitation and for cultivating these spaces of meeting, learning and cooperation that strengthen the networks of women defenders of nature in Latin America.
