On October 21, the regional gathering “Women’s Voices for Gender Equity in Rural Territories” was held at the Instituto Mayor Campesino (IMCA). This space for dialogue and reflection brought together rural women leaders from various regions of Colombia and from countries where organizations belonging to the Red Comparte network are present in Latin America.
“This is a day to nourish ourselves with the collective strength of women—women who unite their knowledge, experiences, and energy to weave alliances. A day to recognize what has been built and to keep walking together, along with men who practice gender justice,” said Amaia Unzueta Sesumaga, Technical Secretary of the Red Comparte network, at the start of the event.
During the meeting, women from different organizations shared their personal and collective journeys toward female leadership, highlighting the importance of family and community support, the inspiration of other women, love for their territories, training on gender issues, and the solidarity among women as fundamental pillars of their empowerment. Even so, they agreed that the road toward equity still faces obstacles and risks.
María Candelaria Rodríguez of Yomol’Atel, a cooperative group within the Red Comparte network in Chiapas (Mexico), emphasized the need to promote change among men as well—especially those in leadership positions within organizations. “We need to encourage change in men, so that they have the desire to transform themselves and the courage to promote women’s participation in the organization and in decision-making and agreement processes,” she stated, when asked how and with whom to continue advancing in these processes of transformation toward gender equity.
From Colombia, Neydy Solate, a young leader from Suyusama, a social center of the Red Comparte network in Nariño, underscored the importance of turning attention toward rural children and youth and working with them to instill love for their territories.
The gathering aimed to strengthen the leadership, coordination, and advocacy of rural women through the exchange of experiences, knowledge, and affirmative action strategies that promote gender equity in their communities.
The event was attended by women from 32 territories of Colombia, as well as representatives of Red Comparte, who are also participating in the First Meeting of the Gender Working Group of the network, scheduled to take place between October 20 and 25 at the IMCA facilities.
