Final Declaration and Action Points from Gendered Impacts Workshop
Women human rights defenders (WHRDs) have a very strong connection with their lands and territories, which they describe as a source of life. In addition, the environmental damage generated by the extractive industry impacts women’s ability to provide food and clean water for their families and communities….For all these reasons, many women have taken leadership roles defending their lands and communities.
So begins the Final Declaration of the Workshop on the Gendered Impacts of Mining at the International Peoples Conference on Mining (IPCM) in the Philippines.
Over 100 participants from 28 countries participated in the conference, including KAIROS partners who shared experiences about mining impacts in their regions – Gloria on Latin America, Meeka on the situation of Inuit communities in Canada, Gabriel from the Zimbabwe Council of Churches, Hendronono from JATAM, Indonesia.
Gloria writes: On the first day of the conference, during the panel on regional contexts, I was invited to do a presentation on the situation in Latin America. My presentation was well received and brought attention to the theme of Sumak Kawsay (buen vivir), or living well, as an alternative originating from the South.
Prior to the conference, our women of courage partners, Gloria from Accion Ecologica in Ecuador and Meeka from Pauktuutit, the Association of Inuit Women of Canada, joined a solidarity mission to the Mankayan region in the Cordilleras where they met with Indigenous communities impacted by mining. Here, they were received by KAIROS partner Vernie Yocogan Diano of CWEARC/Innabuyog who is from the area.
In Manila, the workshop on the gendered impacts of resource extraction brought together about 30 women from 13 countries. The following day, organizers and participants released a final declaration with action points focused on ensuring that the work will continue and lead to concrete results.
Photos of the solidarity mission, conference and workshop have been posted.
Meeka writes: We have made so many new friends, local and from abroad. When language is a barrier we find ways to communicate. Mankayan was an eye opener. Everyone there is very welcoming and very generous. Connie has been such a wonderful host! She is a wonderful person and seems to have an endless knowledge of the Philippines. Even during breaks, we have been meeting new people and connecting. I want so much to thank your office for your generosity.
