{"id":205731,"date":"2024-11-07T12:13:17","date_gmt":"2024-11-07T11:13:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/?p=205731"},"modified":"2025-10-16T12:10:14","modified_gmt":"2025-10-16T11:10:14","slug":"cop16-empowering-women-environmental-defenders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/news\/cop16-empowering-women-environmental-defenders\/","title":{"rendered":"COP16: Empowering women environmental defenders"},"content":{"rendered":"
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At the COP16 in Cali, Indigenous women environmental defenders and others reflected on the threats women encounter in their territories and the need to promote differentiated mechanisms for the protection of women defenders. \u2018Organisations working on protecting defenders must use gender-sensitive tools that protect women and honour their value,\u2019 reflects expert environmental justice Liliana J\u00e1uregui.<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n
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This article was originally published on the website<\/a> of our Peruvian partner Sociedad Peruana de Derecho Ambiental (SPDA). All photos on this page: \u00a9 Diego Coll \/ SPDA<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Women defenders in the Amazon region<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Eighty-five percent of the 196 murders of environmental defenders recorded internationally in 2023 occurred in Latin America, according to Global Witness’ latest report on the situation of human rights defenders worldwide. However, the number of people killed for defending their territories – and their biodiversity – could be higher. Human rights defenders carry out crucial work for the protection of Amazonian territories, but their lives are in constant danger. This risk is greater for women, who are more vulnerable due to their status as defenders and women.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Side event at the COP16<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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On 23 October, the side event “Empowering women environmental defenders: gendered territorial strategies from Latin America relevant to the monitoring of the Global Biodiversity Framework” sought dialogue on the disproportionate impact of biodiversity loss on women in local communities, and addressed the importance of gender indicators for equitable accountability.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Indigenous women leaders and experts from Peru, Guatemala, Ecuador and Argentina shared their experiences, as well as the challenges and threats faced by women defending nature and the rights of their communities.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u2018In the Indigenous territories, we learn from our grandfathers and grandmothers, who teach us the value and importance of all diversity,\u2019 <\/strong>said Josefina Tunki, an Indigenous leader from Ecuador. This is why their organisations are promoting the protection of their territories and the resources found there, despite the threats they face for this work, she stated. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Liliana J\u00e1uregui from IUCN NL <\/mark><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Silvana Baldovino from SPDA <\/mark><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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Need for differentiated protection measures<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\u2018Violence against women in Peru is very strong,\u2019 said Silvana Baldovino, director of the Biodiversity and Indigenous Peoples Programme of the SPDA. Baldovino indicated that \u2018differentiated measures are needed\u2019 for the protection of women environmental defenders.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u2018We have to identify mechanisms to protect our women defenders, regional and differentiated mechanisms for women, because the role of women in food security is becoming more and more critical. We have to include this in the indicators of climate finance,\u2019 continued Baldovino.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u2018By gathering data with both gender and cultural sensitivity, we aim to strengthen protection mechanisms and support women’s rights to information, participation and justice.\u2019<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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