Situation of women defenders in Madre de Dios: a call for collective action

In Madre de Dios, covering over 3.8 million hectares of the Peruvian Amazon, environmental and human rights defenders protect their territories against the backdrop of illegal mining. The region hosts one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world. It is threatened, however, by illegal extractive activities that not only compromise the forest’s ecological integrity, but also the safety and health of its inhabitants. ‘The challenging but determined journey of women environmental defenders in Madre de Dios clearly resonates with the global fight to safeguard nature. It is a call for collective action towards environmental justice and gender equality,’ says Mariel Cabero, expert environmental justice at IUCN NL.

Header photo: Isabel Yalico, Coordinator of del Comité de Gestion de la Reserva Nacional Tambopata in Madre de Dios. © Giancarlo Shibayama

A gender baseline study of IUCN NL, carried out by Eliana Rojas Torres, gathered data about the struggles of women environmental defenders in Madre de Dios. This study, part of the PIDDA programme, has compiled data from interviews, focal groups and fieldwork^[1]The study was made within native communities of FENAMAD and the amortiguation area of Tambopata. to reveal the systemic obstacles these women defenders face, including legal and administrative obstacles and gender-based violence. Results shows that their story is not just one of adversity, says Mariel Cabero, but also ‘one of resilience and a determined fight for environmental justice and gender justice. The situation in Madre de Dios serves as a case study and a reminder of the urgent need for an integrated approach that addresses the environmental, legal and social challenges faced by women environmental defenders.’

‘Women’s fight for their territories is intertwined with their struggles for gender equality and recognition of their rights.’

Mariel Cabero, expert environmental justice

Exacerbating gender dynamics

Women defenders, often on the frontline, encounter systemic obstacles exacerbating the dynamics that put them in a vulnerable position, such as socio-economic inequalities and cultural norms that marginalise their voices. ‘Factors like class and ethnicity intersect with gender, further complicating the disparities and risks women face,’ explains Cabero. ‘Their fight for their territories is thus intertwined with their struggles for gender equality and recognition of their rights.’

Women face different types of violence

Study results confirm that women in Madre de Dios face different types of violence impeding their basic rights and freedoms. Driven by a complex interplay of factors such as gender inequality, patriarchal norms and illicit and extractive activities.

Below we share overview of the various forms of violence women in Madre de Dios endure, highlighting the profound challenges  women environmental defenders face in their struggle to defend their territories and livelihoods.

Obstruction of freedom of movement and autonomy

Women’s freedom to move through their territories is compromised by the presence of miners, loggers, and criminal gangs, limiting their access to essential services and daily activities. For instance, traveling to agricultural fields or attending educational institutions has become fraught with danger, forcing some to abandon their studies or alter their routines drastically.

Environmental violence

The illegal mining and deforestation degrades rivers and land, vital sources for community’s livelihoods. Women are confronted differently with the direct consequences of such pollution, for example by decreased food security due to contaminated water and fish.

Criminalisation

In their role as environmental defenders, women are often targeted with legal actions, including accusations and intimidation. Such criminalisation seeks to undermine their advocacy efforts, leaving them entangled in costly and time-consuming legal battles.

Moral violence

Women defenders face societal backlash, including derogatory comments and public shaming, aimed at discrediting their work and deterring their participation in community advocacy.

Economic and patrimonial violence

The financial burden of advocacy, including travel and legal costs, places significant strain on women and their families. Additionally, extortion by criminal groups further depletes their resources, threatening their economic stability and ability to maintain their homes and lands.

Physical and sexual violence

Sexual harassment and assault are reported as part of the broader pattern of violence against women in these areas, often perpetrated by those involved in illegal extractive activities.

Psychological violence

The constant threats and fear of violence have profound mental health impacts among the women and, by extension, affecting their families. The psychological toll of living under such conditions cannot be overstated, affecting all aspects of their well-being.

Violence against youth and children

The social and environmental crises also profoundly impact the younger generation, exposing them to risks of exploitation, substance abuse, and the traumatic effects of witnessing or experiencing violence. This influences their future and the long-term resilience of their communities.

What enables women defenders continue their fight?  

Even though women defenders find themselves in a very adverse context, certain factors and conditions enable women to continue their determined fight to protect their territories.

Sharing experiences and facilitating collaboration among women catalyses female leadership, shows the study. Exchange fosters a supportive network where women can learn from each other, share best practices and encourage one another in their leadership journeys. Another enabling factor is providing organisational support to locally-led initiatives, specifically those promoting female leadership. These organisations provide resources, mentorship and platforms women to enhance their leadership skills and visibility in their communities.

Workshops organised by these or other organisations should be developed with, about and for Indigenous women, oriented towards the Indigenous movement of Madre de Dios and have collective rather than an individual perspective. It is essential to include a solid intercultural approach in the design of workshops, without using too much technical or legal language.

The study also recommends to organise workshops locally, so women do not have to travel elsewhere. This does not only stimulates the participation of women, but also promotes greater awareness at the community level.

Last but not least, organising inclusive workshops, in which both men and women participate, is important. This enables addressing human rights and Indigenous rights issues, applying a gender perspective, along with topics related to women’s rights and gender-based violence, to be addressed more comprehensively.

‘Peru stalling the ratification of the Escazú Agreement highlights systemic barriers impeding progress in access to rights, environmental justice and defenders’ safety.’

Mariel Cabero, expert environmental justice

Call for collective action

The challenges faced by women environmental defenders in Madre de Dios mirror a global crisis, in which environmental activism intersects with gender-based violence and injustice. This phenomenon is not isolated, but reflects a widespread pattern across continents where defenders confront similar threats ranging from legal harassment to physical violence. The situation in Madre de Dios, characterised by brave women protecting their territories against illegal mining and environmental degradation, is emblematic of the struggles faced by countless other women globally.

The data of the study in Madre de Dios highlights the urgent need for a global response that recognises the specific risks faced by women environmental defenders. International and local civil society efforts should push for adherence to international frameworks, such as the Escazú Agreement. Peru has not yet ratified the agreement, despite having it signed it in 2018. It is significant in different ways, explains Cabero, as ‘Peru stalling the ratification of the Escazú Agreement highlights systemic barriers impeding progress in access to rights, environmental justice and defenders’ safety.’

‘The challenging but determined journey of women environmental defenders in Madre de Dios clearly resonates with the global fight to safeguard nature. It is a call for collective action towards environmental justice and gender equality,’ she concludes.