TV Indígena wins consultancy to create a campaign to increase the social visibility of Indigenous women in Panamá

The campaign will break false stereotypes and strengthen Indigenous women’s identity and leadership.

FSC-IF

The FSC Indigenous Foundation (FSC-IF) has contracted TV Indígena, an Indigenous media company that promotes the visibility and development of Indigenous Peoples, to carry out a communications campaign for the social visibility of Indigenous women in Panama, break false stereotypes, and strengthen Indigenous women’s identity and leadership.

This campaign is part of the FSC-IF’s commitment to support the implementation of the Indigenous Women of Panama’s Economic Empowerment Plan (PEMIP 2025) under the Indigenous Peoples Alliance for Rights and Development (IPARD) Program.

Communications campaign

The campaign will promote the visibility of Indigenous women in Panama, through communication and dissemination strategies, highlighting their achievements, challenges, and contributions to their communities and society as a whole. It will be developed with the Indigenous Women’s Advisory Committee of Panama (CAMIP), who will participate in the campaign’s design, implementation, and storytelling.

It will challenge and dismantle ingrained stereotypes and prejudices about Indigenous women, fostering a more just, inclusive and respectful perception of their diversity, including their realities and roles. It aims to sensitize both Panama and the international community about Indigenous women’s rights, culture, and aspirations, promoting solidarity, respect, and collaboration in the construction of a more inclusive and equitable world.

Finally, the campaign will provide tools, resources, and training opportunities that enable Indigenous women to strengthen their cultural identity, improve their communication and leadership skills, and actively participate in decision-making in their communities.

About TV Indígena

TV Indígena is a leading initiative in the field of Indigenous communication in Panama and the Abya Yala region (Americas). Since its founding in 2017, TV Indígena has stood out for its unwavering commitment to the promotion of the rights and culture of Indigenous Peoples, as well as for its innovative and participatory approach in the production and dissemination of audiovisual content together with the territories and traditional authorities.

TV Indígena has worked closely with Cultural Survival on its grant program and targeted programs for Indigenous women, especially through its “Desde la Comunidad” program.

At the international level, TV Indígena has collaborated with the Mesoamerican Alliance of Peoples and Forests during Climate Week, creating content, interviewing Mesoamerican leaders, and providing streaming services, promoting the participation of Indigenous Peoples in the fight against climate change.

TV Indígena has also participated in the “Panama Te Quiero Verde” campaign, with important allies highlighting the importance of a mining-free Panama, creating content on the importance of Panama’s biodiversity and making visible the participation of the Panamanian community and finally achieving the unconstitutionality of Minera Panama. This campaign went viral internationally, achieving the support of actors Leonardo DiCaprio, Orlando Bloom, and youth activist Greta Thumber, demonstrating the impact and influence of TV Indígena in the defense of environmental and cultural rights.

TV Indígena has been actively working with women and Indigenous authorities of the 12 territories of Panama, making visible the development of the 12 territories, participating in congresses, and creating content for the Indigenous Women’s Advisory Committee of Panama.

Today, TV Indígena creates audiovisual content, podcasts for various Indigenous social networks, expanding its reach and reaching new audiences around the world. With a diverse and committed team, composed of young people from the 5 Indigenous peoples of Panama, TV Indígena continues its work of empowerment and promotion of the rights of Indigenous Peoples, using communication as a powerful tool for change and social transformation.

National Meeting of the Indigenous Women’s Platform and Launching of the School of Governance and Leadership for Indigenous Women

Eighty women leaders gathered to exchange experiences and knowledge

FSC-IF

Panajachel, Sololá, July 5 and 6, 2024

Panajachel, Sololá – As part of the project “Weaving the participation and development of political and economic capacities of Indigenous Women in Guatemala”, the Indigenous Women’s Platform held the National Meeting of the Indigenous Women’s Platform on July 5 and 6, 2024. This significant event, which took place in Panajachel, Sololá, brought together 80 women leaders from different territories and linguistic communities to foster collaboration and the exchange of experiences and knowledge.

The event also marked the launch of the School of Governance and Leadership for Indigenous Women, a crucial initiative to strengthen women’s leadership and empowerment capacities in political and public decision-making. In addition, the inclusion of women in community, local, and national processes will be promoted. With the participation of 50 women leaders from various communities in the country, the first cohort of this School was formally presented to the diplomatic corps accredited in Guatemala, representatives of state institutions, and the media.

During the meeting, strategic alliances were formalized between the Indigenous Women’s Platform and various key actors, including signing agreements with the University Center of the West of the University of San Carlos de Guatemala (CUNOC) and the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE). These alliances are a testament to the ongoing commitment to strengthening the leadership capacities of women and their empowerment in the political arena.

The event’s program includes an inaugural lecture for the first cohort of the School of Governance and Leadership, providing participants with an overview of the program’s content and relevance. In addition, a political and social conjunctural analysis provided a detailed understanding of the political, economic, and social situation in the country, highlighting strategic opportunities for the empowerment of Indigenous women.

Organizers and Participants

This initiative is part of the project “Weaving the participation and development of political and economic capacities of Indigenous Women in Guatemala”, implemented jointly with the FSC Indigenous Foundation (FSC-IF) and financed by USAID and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). It included the participation of prominent figures such as Dr. Rigoberta Menchú Tum, president of the Board of Directors of the Indigenous Women’s Platform, and representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Guatemala, the FSC Indigenous Foundation, UN Women and the Centro Universitario de Occidente of the Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala.

Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim appointed Chair of UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

We congratulate our FSC-IF Council Chair for this prestigious position

FSC-IF

On April 15, 2024, the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) unanimously elected Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim as Chair to preside over the twenty-third period of sessions of the Permanent Forum.

The announcement was made at the opening of the 23rd session of the UNPFII at the United National headquarters in New York City, USA.

The FSC Indigenous Foundation (FSC-IF) congratulates Hindou for receiving this well-deserved honor, and we know that she will preside over this Forum with great success.

Hindou Oumarou is a member of the Mbororo People of Chad, chair of the FSC-IF Council, and an environmental and Indigenous Peoples activist. She is the Coordinator of the Association of Peul Women and Autochthonous Peoples of Chad (AFPAT) and served as the co-director of the pavilion of the World Indigenous Peoples’ Initiative and Pavilion at COP21, COP22 and COP23. Hindou is also the gender representative, and Congo Basin Region and Focal Point on Climate Change in the Indigenous Peoples of Africa Coordinating Committee (IPACC). She was recognized by BBC as a top 100 women leader and by TIME’s Women Leaders in Climate Change and is a National Geographic Explorer.

Launch of Ogiek women’s empowerment project

The FSC Indigenous Foundation and Ogiek Peoples Development Program support a journey to Indigenous women’s socio-economic transformation.

FSC-IF

Nakuru, Kenya – On April 8, 2024, the FSC Indigenous Foundation and Ogiek Peoples Development Program launch a joint project, “Promoting Socio-Economic Empowerment among Ogiek Women of Mau, Kenya.” This project is part of the Indigenous Peoples Alliance for Rights and Development (IPARD), a five-year program implemented by the FSC-IF and funded by USAID, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), and private sector partners.

This event, that took place at the Ole Ken Hotel, Nakuru, marked the beginning of a transformative journey towards empowering Ogiek women, addressing their unique challenges, and fostering sustainable socio-economic development in the Mau regions of Kenya.

Participants included representatives from local government, Women Enterprise Fund, Microfinance Institutions, FSC-IF, County Executive Committee (CEC), media, and Ogiek community members.

After opening words by the Executive Director of the Ogiek Peoples’ Development Program (OPDP) Daniel Kobei, participants listened to keynote addresses from FSC-IF Africa Regional Director Salina Sanou and representatives from the Gender Departments of Narok and Nakuru Counties.

Daniel Kobei emphasized the need to work with county and national governments in Kenya and that the women’s agenda is not only an agenda of NGOs but for everybody.

“The project is also a way of championing for the rights of Ogiek People because one cannot champion for rights without food and being economically empowered.”
Daniel Kobei

“FSC-IF is committed to Indigenous women because they are pillars of our communities. Women are custodians of knowledge and culture.”
Salina Sanou

A panel discussion followed on challenges faced by Ogiek women and opportunities for collaboration with the participation of representatives of the Nakuru County Gender Department, Narok County Gender Department, Women Enterprise Fund, and a microfinance institution.

The project launch was officially opened by Josephine Achieng, County Executive Committee Member of Youth, Gender, Culture, Sports and Social Services, Nakuru County. “OPDP is taking the right trajectory of empowering women,” she said.

“We need to have women represented in all spheres of life politically, economically, and socially,” said Eunice Chepkemoi, Gender and Youth Officer at OPDP.

Participants broke into groups to explore specific areas of engagement and opportunities during project implementation. The Gender Department of Narok County noted that OPDP is now a member of the Gender Sector Working Group of Narok County.

Women from the Ogiek community emphasized that the project is bringing them hope.

“When a woman is empowered, the whole community is empowered.”
Ogiek woman representative

Ogiek women of Kenya

The Ogiek People face persistent challenges. Decades of forceful evictions from their ancestral lands have led to discrimination, marginalization, and oppression, resulting in low participation in development issues. Ogiek women, in particular, grapple with poverty, illiteracy, and limited access to economic opportunities. The lack of representation in the political arena further exacerbates their plight, hindering their ability to address these issues effectively.

Despite these challenges, many Ogiek women have formed women’s groups and engage in economic activities, for example, savings cooperatives, tree nurseries, livestock raising, and beekeeping. These groups could benefit from additional support and opportunities to catalyze sustainable development for their communities.

Transformation to economic empowerment

By providing Ogiek women with the necessary training and support, the FSC-IF and OPDP aim to support them to become self-reliant and economically independent.

Our joint project, “Promoting Socio-Economic Empowerment among Ogiek Women of Mau, Kenya” is a training initiative and open call for proposals from women’s groups to receive financial support.

The training initiative will equip Ogiek women with the essential skills and knowledge to engage in sustainable income-generating activities. It will also foster leadership skills among the participants, particularly the chair ladies, secretaries, and treasurers, to understand their roles and responsibilities, enabling them to guide and mentor their members within the groups.

Through the initiative, we will catalyze sustainable socio-economic development among the trainees, leading to improved livelihoods and enhanced community resilience. This will contribute to their well-being and promote inclusivity, gender equality, and community prosperity.

In parallel, Ogiek women groups across six counties of Kenya will submit proposals to apply for limited funds to support them in establishing small-scale income-generating activities. The project will support twelve sustainable projects that benefit community resilience.

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The FSC Indigenous Foundation (FSC-IF) is a global Indigenous organization with a mission, values, and actions driven by, for, and with Indigenous Peoples. It was established in 2019 by the FSC and the FSC Permanent Indigenous Peoples Committee (PIPC). We serve as a global strategic, technical, operational, and financial entity led by Indigenous Peoples, supporting their self-development, self-governance, and self-reliance through Indigenous-based solutions, multi-sectoral partnerships, and funding. Our mission is to elevate Indigenous Peoples in their contribution to the protection of Mother Earth and recognize them as providers of solutions and partners to fight against global challenges. We envision a future where Indigenous-led solutions and actions, generated within one-quarter of the planet, safeguard the future of everyone and Mother Earth.

The Ogiek Peoples’ Development Program (OPDP) is a Kenya-based organization founded in 1999 and registered by the Kenyan Government as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in 2001. It was formed by Ogiek elders, opinion leaders, farmers, and professionals after long land historical injustices that deprived Ogiek community of their rights as Kenyan citizens. OPDP’s work is centered on promoting the recognition and identity of Indigenous Peoples’ culture, the participation and inclusion of the communities in all sectors of development, championing for land rights, ensuring environmental protection, and overall sustainable development. OPDP has its headquarters in Nakuru town, Nakuru County, and operates nationally.

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