Protecting the Amazon, Indigenous Women Must be Included

At the meeting, representatives discussed the challenges the women face in their respective territories, to draw attention to the structural and historical circumstances that have silenced them and to share their struggles and stories of resilience.

The summit concluded with a series of mandates including the establishment of a fund for Indigenous women of the Amazon basin, for financing and implementation of the agenda established during the summit.

A second mandate centers on the development of the Network of Indigenous Women Defenders of the Amazonian Territory. This includes establishing leadership schools for Indigenous women and youth that will include training on confronting all forms of violence against women, especially sexual violence.

In addition, the women are demanding participation in all decision-making spaces regarding the Amazon basin at the local, national and international levels. They urge governments and international bodies to promote the active participation of Indigenous women.  

The summit has also seen the emergence of an Indigenous women’s movement in the Colombian Amazon, beginning with the self-recognition of the role of women as protectors, defenders, caregivers and givers of life in all Amazonian territories.