Rural women artisans, piangueras (traditional fishers), vicheras (craftswomen), barequeras (gold panners), green business managers, and tourism operators from the municipalities of Medio Atrato, Nuquí, Bahía Solano, Tadó, Condoto, and El Carmen de Atrato in the department of Chocó commemorated their strength, resilience, and contributions to nature conservation on the occasion of International Women’s Rights Day.
The gathering highlights the significant role of women in community development, leadership, and biodiversity conservation in their territories. During this event, rural women had the opportunity to visit the ProAves Las Tángaras Reserve, an area dedicated to the conservation of birdlife, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and other important species of biodiversity. Recently, the Regional Autonomous Corporation for the Sustainable Development of Chocó, CODECHOCÓ, declared the Reserve as a Regional Natural Park, an initiative through which efforts will continue to work towards the perpetual conservation of this important biodiversity hotspot in Colombia.
For ProAves and Women for Conservation, it has been very meaningful to collaborate with CODECHOCÓ to commemorate International Women’s Rights Day and honor the work of female leaders from various sectors of this department. These women inspire their communities daily and serve as examples of leadership and role models for the younger generations.
These celebrations help to highlight the importance of investing in rural women, who are often more affected by limited access to resources such as technology, education, well-being, and financial empowerment, and who often suffer in silence.
“With this wonderful gathering, we celebrate the strength of women, their achievements, and contributions to nature conservation. Learning the stories of these female leaders allows us to strengthen the bonds between women and continue working from our organizations on strategies that provide other opportunities.”
Sara Inés Lara, Executive Director of ProAves
ProAves and Women for Conservation will continue to create spaces to promote women’s leadership, as they are key players in conservation efforts in Colombia.
“We feel honored to welcome the women from Chocó to the Reserve. This space has been crucial in recognizing the important role of women in their communities and the conservation of our biodiversity.”
Isabella Cortés, Executive Director of Women for Conservation
Our special thanks to CODECHOCÓ for their tremendous support and efforts in facilitating the participation of female leaders who joined this gathering for the empowerment of women and the conservation of nature. Also, to Women for Conservation for their commitment to empowering rural women in the protection of natural resources.
From left to right Arnold Alexander Rincon Lopez, Director General de CODECHOCÓ; Juana Evangelista Moreno, Representante de la Mujer Rural; Isabella Cortés, Directora Ejecutiva de Mujeres por la Conservación: Ahysen Arboleda Montañez, Gestora Ambiental de CODECHOCÓ; Sara Inés Lara, Directora Ejecutiva de ProAves
With the support of:
