Globally, and in Latin America, indigenous women, women of African descent, and peasant women continue to be the poorest and most vulnerable in economic terms

The Fourth International Workshop on plurality in the determination of public policy is being held in Bogotá from 12 to 14 August, aiming to integrate the vision of indigenous women, women of African descent, and peasant women. This workshop will be a meeting ground to evaluate progress and identify new opportunities to foster the participation of indigenous, peasant, and Afro-descendant women in decision-making on public policy related to the tenure of land and territory, climate change, and sustainable economic development in Latin America.

The event, organized by the Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI) in alliance with La Federación Departamental de Mujeres Campesinas de Cundinamarca (Departmental Federation of Peasant Women of Cundinamarca – FEDEMUCC) and the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (Pontifical Xavierian University) will bring together leaders, both men and women, from various countries such as Colombia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, India, and Guatemala, amongst others, as well as representatives from organizations of Indigenous Peoples and communities, governments, academia, NGOs, and experts on land tenure, gender and climate change. The participants will identify progress as well as gaps and draw up recommendations for governments in Latin America and international organizations.

Colombia was chosen in 2015 to host the Fourth International Workshop in view of the current political situation in the country where indigenous, peasant, and Afro-descendant women have been fighting to participate in the decision-making processes for public policy on land and resource tenure, climate change, and sustainable development. Sustained advocacy from civil society organizations representing these women has created a new window of opportunity that can strengthen and improve their full and effective participation in public policy decisions in the country.

Integrating the experience and knowledge of participants from different countries at this event will open up new horizons regarding these processes, both in Colombia and the rest of the region. Similarly, the example of Colombia is of great importance for the region since it can offer lessons in how to ensure women’s voices, knowledge, and abilities are taken into account when determining national policies. Questions of land tenure, climate change, and sustainable economic development for women will be a special focus at the event, and will lead to recommendations and input for governments in Latin America.

Since 2012, RRI has organized annual regional meetings in Latin America to foster debate on women’s rights and their participation in decision-making processes for public policy. Three international workshops have been held consecutively in Bolivia, Nicaragua, and Peru. The results of previous workshops have bolstered organizations for peasant and indigenous women and women of African descent.

Date: 12 to 14 August 2015

Place: Hotel TRYP Bogotá Embajada

Address: Avenida La Esperanza N°. 51-40, Bogotá – Colombia

Leading Participants:

  • Alejandra Valdés, Coordinator at the Gender Equality Observatory for Latin America and the Caribbean of ECLAC (Chile)
  • Belén Sanz – Country Representative of UN WOMEN (Colombia)
  • Arvind Khare – Executive Director of RRI (India)
  • Raquel Victorino – Social Director of the Land Restitution Unit (Colombia)

For questions or scheduling interviews, contact:

Viviana Morales

[email protected]

Mob: 57 + 3202925565