During the United Nations climate summit, COP23, held in Bonn, Germany, the indigenous women of the globe, stressed that being preservers of the knowledge of their peoples and the most vulnerable in the face of climate change, their participation should be key to face it.

This was a message that from indigenous leaders from America, Asia, Africa and the Pacific led to the Women & Gender Caucus. This space brings together a series of organizations that promote gender equity and climate justice.

For three years the participation of indigenous women has increased in the Caucus, so it is expected that their demands will be taken into account now that States are on the verge of signing a Gender Action Plan as a result of COP23.

“For indigenous women, our main struggle is the defense of our territories and resources”,  said Tarcila Rivera Zea, member of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Affairs of the UN, who was in charge of moderating this dialogue.

“The changes are here, they affect us all and I see no other solution than in the traditional knowledge of our peoples,” said the representative of Parlamente Sami of Norway.

On the other hand, the women of the African continent pointed out the importance of developing the capacities of women at the local level so that they are also participants in the debate.