The government, through the Ministry of Environment and Energy, announced on April 1 that it reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive environmental management by holding the Third Meeting of Women from the National System of Protected Areas. The event brought together about 100 participants to highlight the role of women in conservation and advance concrete actions aimed at strengthening gender equity in the sector.
This initiative is significant as it aims to promote greater participation of women in decision-making and management within protected areas. Organizers said that sharing experiences, challenges, and progress from different regions underscored the need for more inclusive practices.
The meeting forms part of implementing the National Gender Plan for the National System of Protected Areas. This plan guides efforts to incorporate a gender perspective into environmental management and seeks to reduce gaps in participation, access to opportunities, and recognition for women’s work in this field.
At the event’s conclusion, Vice Minister of Environment Alicia Jaramillo said these spaces allow people “to listen to each other and build together,” emphasizing that gender equity is fundamental for sustainability. She also said that turning discussions into concrete results will be key: “the main challenge will be transforming what was discussed into concrete results, more inclusive policies, and greater participation by women at all levels of decision-making.”
As an outcome of this meeting, participants developed a roadmap with actions and indicators designed to guide implementation of a gender approach within protected areas management. The process also focused on personal empowerment for attendees by fostering confidence, leadership skills, mutual support networks so they feel accompanied and supported as they develop their roles.
