On December 6, the Center for the Development of the Amazonian Indigenous (CEDIA) signed a commitment with the National Organization of Indigenous and Amazonian Women of Peru (ONAMIAP) to, jointly, promote the participation of women in the titling process of territories of native communities. This was carried out within the framework of the “Meeting of Indigenous Women: Forest Management and REDD +”, organized by ONAMIAP, in which CEDIA was invited to strengthen the capacities of approximately 20 indigenous women leaders from Madre de Dios, San Martín and Ucayali on physical and legal sanitation.
The Anthrop. Candy Vilela, CEDIA Social Specialist, held the Participatory Workshop “Titling of native communities and reflection on the gender approach in CEDIA projects”. She stressed that it was pleasant to be part of that space given that the participation of women in the titling process is not currently visible.
Among other issues, he explained that CEDIA has contributed to title approximately 350 native communities in the Peruvian Amazon, the CEDIA intervention basins and the four lines of action that we develop in all our projects: physical and legal sanitation, community organizational strengthening, development of Sustainable economic activities -management plans- and support for the management of Protected Natural Areas. Likewise, he highlighted that the gender equity, intercultural and intergenerational approaches are transversal in the execution of our projects.
After explaining in a participatory manner the steps to be followed to achieve community recognition and titling, requirements that the Regional Agrarian Directorate requests from the native communities of its jurisdiction and who seek to obtain their communal property title, he went on to exchange opinions, together with the women, on the forms and limitations of their participation in these processes. He stressed that women contribute a lot, especially in the preparation of land use maps that are used to prepare the recognition sketch; in the demarcation of the communal territory; elaboration of life plans; as well as follow up on the agreements established with the officials; among others. It was also highlighted that men and women have different views on the territory and on the use of resources.
In addition, it was concluded that among the main obstacles to promoting their participation are: the presence of only male officials, both to carry out joint work and to gather the perspectives of women; the look of officials and authorities towards the role played by women in the process, which is generally considered to be passive; traditional domestic chores -house, farm and childcare-, which reduce the time that women would have available to participate in meetings; the management of economic resources by men; the almost null use of the native language on the part of the civil servants; ignorance of the norms that refer to degree issues by women; as well as the lack of motivation and confidence for their participation.
CEDIA and ONAMIAP commit to continue strengthening the capacities of indigenous women and men in the process of physical and legal sanitation, as well as continuing to support gender equality and contribute to building a more just society for indigenous women.