Indigenous Women Land Defenders, Protection of Nature, and The Escazú Agreement

Women are essential leaders across Latin America and the Carribean (LAC), mobilizing for the protection and defense of forests and biodiversity, oftentimes leading resistance efforts to defend local territories, holding invaluable knowledge of local ecosystems, and advocating at the international level for further protection of human and Indigenous rights, forests, water, and our global climate.  Please join the Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) and Reacción Climática for “Indigenous Women Land Defenders, Protection of Nature, and the Escazu Agreement”, an event to learn more about the Escazú Agreement—a critical new  environmental policy in the LAC region. We will discuss how this vital piece of legislation can protect diverse ecosystems , the global climate, and Women Environmental and Human Rights Defenders (WEHRD) in their work to defend their rights and lands.

During the event, women land defenders and policy advocates will highlight the challenges women face in securing human and Indigenous rights and participating in environmental and climate policy, while also sharing how the Escazú Agreement can be a powerful tool for the protection of human rights, women land defenders, local territories and communities. This event is held in parallel to the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII). Spanish, Portuguese and English translation will be  provided during the event.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, the Regional Agreement on Access to Information, Public Participation and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters, known as the Escazú Agreement, guarantees the full and effective implementation of the rights to environmental information, public participation in the process of decision making, capacity building, empowerment, and cooperation. If implemented properly, The Escazú Agreement promises to radically shift the way environmental issues are addressed in the region, reinforcing the fact that multilateralism, as well as public participation, are essential in facing environmental crises and upholding human and Indigenous rights.  To enter into full force the agreement needed 11 ratifications, and on November 5, 2020 Mexico became the 11th country to ratify the Agreement. Countries can now start the process for the accord to enter the implementation phase across Latin America and the Caribbean.

List of speakers to date: Patricia Gualinga (Kichwa), Indigenous leader from Sarayaku, Spokeswoman for Mujeres Amazónicas Defensoras de la Selva, Ecuador; María Luisa Rafael, Quechua leader, Human Rights and Environmental activist (Bolivia); Ana Llácer, Journalist, Filmmaker & Environmental Activist (Spain & USA); Taily Terena, Terena Nation, Indigenous rights activist (Brazil); Carmen Capriles, Founder of Reacción Climática, WECAN Coordinator for Latin America (Bolivia); and comments and analysis by Osprey Orielle Lake, WECAN Executive Director.