• Joint Declaration • of Women in Conservation III Latin American and Caribbean Congress of Protected Areas Lima 14-17 October 2019. Having assembled 60 women from 14 countries from diverse environmental, academic, scientific, political, social, community-based, indigenous, and LGTB+ sectors, we hereby present the conclusions and proposals generated during the Meeting of Women in Conservation “Building a Collective Agenda for Women in Conservation in Latin America and the Caribbean” held in Lima, Peru, on October 12 and 13, 2019. This meeting was part of the III Latin American and Caribbean Congress on Protected Areas hosted by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and its members. The below subscribers proclaim to collaborate in good faith to achieve gender equity with the following proposals:
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Change The Focus - Build a new holistic approach for conservation, recognizing the
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Secure Rights - Contribute to the effective implementation of acquired rights of girls
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need for a new narrative and practice that focus on people; that incorporates elements such as empathy, affection, and care; that recognizes the value of daily work in conservation and bottom-up initiatives; and that connects people with others, with Earth, and with ourselves. A new focus should consider historical foundations to better understand the current context, contest resulting unequal power relationships, and incorporate a transformative and inter-sectional gender focus as the fundamental element of any conservation project or strategy. In this way, women’s voices and experience provide the theoretical and material essence for this new focus.
and women, turning them into effective actions and policies in their territories and lands. Secure the recognition of governance systems of indigenous peoples and local communities, and strengthen women’s organizations, securing their right to live in harmony with nature and securing their collective and individual rights - especially to water, food, land tenure and security.
Make Equity A Reality - Promote the true and effective implementation of inclusion
discourses into actions and policies for gender equity. We will begin by changing the language in all the institutional documents and organizations, substituting the term “man” (singular and masculine) for “humanity,” “human beings,” “people,” “persons,” and others to refer to human beings. In the realm of decision making, public policies, and planning for conservation, elevate and promote simultaneously the presence of women in positions of leadership and support them permanently.
Recognize The Contribution
- In the realm of knowledge generation and management -based on the recognition of knowledge as a common good and the importance of knowledge dialogue- recognize and disseminate women’s contribution to knowledge generation and management (from their distinct action spheres), reduce gaps in women’s access to education, validate and promote platforms for non-formal education and science, thus generating innovative spaces for women participation and training in conservation practice. 1/6
