This June 10 and 11,Mayangna women held their first meeting about governance and challenges of the current context with the participation of more than 120 women leaders representing the 75 communities that make up the Mayangna PANASANGWAS Women’s Government.
Currently, Mayangna indigenous communities are facing complex challenges around food and territorial security. The global pandemic COVID-19, the aftermath of the destruction caused by hurricanes ETA and IOTA, and the advance of the agricultural frontier have aggravated the situation in their territories. The non-compliance with the laws protecting their communal lands and the lack of attention to their demands affects the physical and psychological integrity of women, who historically assume roles of care and protection of their families and territories. At the same time, the political development of Mayangna women leaders is being hindered by the racial and gender gaps that still prevail in our society.
In this context, the Mayangna women’s meeting prioritizes allowing a safe space for dialogue among women on the following topics: indigenous women’s rights; governance and leadership; Mother Earth, environment and indigenous women; food production and security; effects of COVID-19 on indigenous communities; and lessons learned during the four years and future perspectives of the Women’s Government.
The other objective of the meeting is for the community leaders to evaluate the management of the outgoing Board of Directors of the Mayangna Women’s Government and jointly formulate proposals for actions and strategies to guide the work of the new authorities.
The PANASANGWAS Mayangna Women’s Government is composed of women leaders from the following territories: Walakwas, Mayangna Sauni As, Mayangna Sauni Bâs, Mayangna Sauni Arungka, Sauni Umrawas, AMASAU Awastingni, Tuahka, Ulwah Awaltara and Mayangna Sauni Bû in Bocay.
PANASANGWAS was formed in 2016 to promote the integral development of territorial women through training and strengthening processes from the Mayangna ancestral worldview and gender equity. Articulating and establishing coordination between community-based organizations for the protection and defense of their territories and Mother Earth.
In these five years of existence, the Mayangna Women’s Government has focused on institutional and leadership strengthening, as well as generating training spaces for agroforestry production and food sovereignty in the territories.
