The fellowship was designed by our Indigenous Women's Committee to support Indigenous women to promote gender equality, improve the socio-economic well-being of women in their communities, advance Indigenous Peoples’ collective rights, and contribute to enhancing their role as leaders, thereby contributing to local durable support and guardianship of territories.
Project: Indigenous Women & Youth Leadership Initiative
This project aims to strengthen the leadership and advocacy capacity of 20 Indigenous women and youth from the Upper Mazaruni District by enhancing their knowledge, confidence, and skills on Indigenous and women’s rights. Through a three-day exchange workshop and a six-month mentorship program, participants will be supported to build collective leadership and engage in governance processes. Within 10 months, the project will result in the establishment of a district-wide women’s leadership network and the documentation of success stories that promote representation and advocacy for Indigenous women in governance.
A brief profile: Rehanna Thomas is an Indigenous youth from the Kapon nation of Guyana and a Social and Cultural Services Officer with the Upper Mazaruni District Council. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and is a first-generation university graduate. Her work focuses on advancing the rights of Indigenous women and girls, promoting gender-responsive climate and social justice, strengthening biodiversity protection, and supporting Indigenous policy advocacy and self-determination.
Project: Indigenous Women Leading Climate Wisdom
This project aims to protect Kalasha ancestral lands by strengthening Indigenous women’s knowledge, land documentation practices, and sustainable farming systems. Through community-based learning spaces grounded in Indigenous teachings, women will enhance their capacity to safeguard their territories, sustain traditional livelihoods, and contribute to the preservation of cultural and ecological integrity.
Brief profile: Muqadsa Zainab is a Kalash woman from the Kalash Valleys in Chitral, Pakistan, working to protect Kalasha ancestral land, culture, and Indigenous knowledge systems, with a focus on women-led learning, oral traditions, and climate resilience.
Project: Strengthening Mbororo Women’s Traditional Knowledge Transfer for Climate Resilience and Biodiversity Conservation.
This project aims to strengthen the intergenerational transmission of Mbororo women’s traditional ecological knowledge to support climate resilience and biodiversity conservation within the community. By creating spaces for knowledge exchange between elders and youth, the project will help preserve cultural practices, reinforce sustainable resource management, and ensure the continuity of Indigenous knowledge systems across generations.
A brief profile: Aisatou Musa is a Mbororo Indigenous woman from Bamenda, Cameroon, working to strengthen the transmission of traditional ecological knowledge, support community-based climate resilience, and protect biodiversity through women-led learning and intergenerational knowledge exchange.
Project: Sustainable Water access for the Indigenous women of Belobaka
She aims to provide women in Mahajanga with a water source and improve their water management techniques to promote resilient farming practices.
Brief profile: Although I am from the Central Highlands of Madagascar, I have a strong sense of belonging to the coastal area where I grew up. I have strong relationships with other Indigenous women, and together we are implementing sustainable livelihoods to improve our socioeconomic status and well-being. I have a PhD in ecological economics, which covers the complex interlinkages between land, ecosystems, and culture.
Project: Raíces de la Amazonía: vivero comunitario de Callanayacu.
This project aims to strengthen environmental sustainability in Callanayacu by restoring native Amazonian plant species through the establishment of a community nursery. By promoting traditional knowledge, supporting the reforestation of degraded areas, and building the capacities of Kichwa women, the initiative will contribute to ecosystem restoration, cultural continuity, and community-led environmental stewardship.
Brief profile: I am a woman leader of the Kichwa People of San Martín, a member of the Callanayacu Native Community, located in the Lower Huallaga Valley in the district of Chazuta. I am a teacher specializing in early childhood education and the founder of the Gallo Wakana Women’s Association. Through my community work, I actively advocate for human rights, gender equality, and strengthening the organization of Indigenous women.
