The Second National Meeting of Indigenous Women of the Amazon brought together 42 leaders from 5 regions of the Peruvian Amazon, a space for exchange, learning and strengthening of women's leadership.
Fostering Connections and Dreams
This meeting is an integral part of the Amazon Indigenous Women's Program. Since its inception in 2021, the program has supported 59 grantees over 3 generations, born out of a need to amplify the voices of indigenous women, leading initiatives that actively contribute to improving the quality of life in their communities.
The event promotes the sharing of experiences, knowledge and achievements in Amazon conservation. Each woman, bearer of impressive dreams, contributes to creating a network that strengthens capacities and replicates successes in each of their communities.
Levis Rivera, a Bora leader from Loreto, shares her reflections: "This space has reminded us that as indigenous women we possess extraordinary courage and strength to achieve our goals. I am moved to see young women at this meeting with clear goals, working for their communities.
Marisol García, a Kichwa leader from San Martín, adds: "Talking with other women helps us to build a network to continue strengthening our capacities and to replicate our successes in other communities and villages. There is a lot of knowledge and potential in indigenous peoples, but above all in indigenous women".
Enriching Dialogue and Collaboration
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Mirko Ruiz, head of the Amazon Indigenous Women's Program at Conservation International Peru, reflects on the richness of these interactions.
"These meetings offer the possibility of generating learning between women leaders who face similar realities, although in different geographical contexts. This interaction facilitates learning among them, enriching their understanding of how to approach specific situations from their own perspectives and with their traditional knowledge and wisdom".
An outstanding example of this collaboration is the case of Patricia Ribeira from Loreto and Raquel Sedano from Pasco. Despite having different practices in the management of native bees, their objective is the same: the sustainable use of this resource. Thanks to this space, they have been able to identify strategies that improve productivity.
Voices inspiring change
This event marks a milestone in strengthening the leadership of indigenous women in the Amazon and preserving their invaluable contribution to the conservation and wellbeing of their communities.
"We share a clear thought: an empowered woman transforms her family. Empowered families transform communities. Transformed communities impact a nation. We want to leave a legacy," says Judith Reymundo, Yanesha leader from Pasco.
The program, which began in 2021, has evolved significantly, consolidating active leaders in decision-making spaces. Leaders such as Patricia Alania Campari, recently appointed head of her community, reflect the visible impact of the program on the transformation and leadership of these women. "The program aims to equip women leaders with the skills they need to amplify their voices and make a lasting positive impact. The program is not only focused on their initial development, but also on sustaining and leveraging these changes in the long term," says Ruiz.