During the recent World Food Forum, the Women’s Committee held a very special 3rd birthday celebration in the Boaššu Indigenous nomadic tent, with Indigenous women involved in sectors ranging from science, to advocacy to gastronomy.

Participants from around the world, both online and in-person (for the first time!), gathered around a fire to share knowledge and experiences on the key role of women in transforming agrifood systems for healthy diets and a healthy planet.

The session, moderated by Soraya Sadeghi (PSU), started the session in this unique environment with an Indigenous spiritual blessing.

To mark this important day, DDG and Chair of the Women’s Committee Maria Helena Semedo spoke of the importance of the Committee's work “the gender gap is still huge but if we work together and raise our voice, we could create better opportunities for women and empower them to have an active role in decision-making.”

Since its establishment in 2019, the Committee has focused on cultural change; advocacy, communication and gender accountability.

The celebration continued with an intimate conversation around gender roles, ancestral knowledge and female leadership with Indigenous women, who shared their powerful stories, including the struggle that their communities face in terms of femicide, abuse and exclusion.

Talking about the importance of preserving traditions and knowledge to empower younger generations, Inger Anita Smuk, Indigenous Knowledge Expert and Chair of World Reindeer Herders, described the challenges of growing up in a reindeer herding family and nurturing her cultural background with specific language, clothing and food traditions.

Makanalani Gomes and Kanaka Moli, Native Hawaiians and Co-Chairs of the Global Indigenous Youth Caucus, highlighted the importance of connecting with female ancestry in order to carry forward the cultural background of protecting Indigenous homelands.  

South African Balobedu chef Mokgadi Itsweng described her matriarchal lineage, explaining how time spent with her grandmothers allowed her to recognise her power and potential in the food industry.  

Maria Gladstone, Blackfeet chef and North American representative of the Coalition on Indigenous Peoples’ Food Systems, portrayed the gender roles in her community, where women lead with soft power and are responsible for food as main caretakers of their homes and owners of the lodges in which they live.

Sakha People representative, Sargylana Atlasova (PSU), recalled the family and household duties taken on by women that bridge generations and preserves the cultural heritage of a matriarchal community.

Referring to traditional food systems, Jessica Vega, Indigenous Mixteca and Global Indigenous Youth Caucus Advisor, recognised the role of Indigenous women and highlighted the need to reinforce the connection with the Earth and take action to further engage and empower Indigenous youth and ensure gender equality.

Sara Elvira Kuhmunen, Vice Chair of World Reindeer Herders, shared how her education and cultural background defined her identity and career path. She highlighted how she sometimes felt excluded and not adequately considered because of her gender and origins.

Mariana Estrada (PSU), with Sandra Bandura and Sereana Naepi from Thompson Rivers University, presented the Knowledge Makers Programme, an award-winning Indigenous research network aimed at preserving Indigenous knowledge. They announced the forthcoming collaboration with FAO to implement a programme focused on Indigenous women, agrifood systems and climate change, to provide a safe space for Indigenous women to enhance their research skills and promote their knowledge.

Wrapping up the event, Angélica Jácome, Director (OSL) and Executive Chair of the Women’s Committee, reaffirmed that VirtualiTea events are an important source of inspiration and strength to connect women from around the world, providing a unique opportunity to listen to extraordinary stories, project positive energy to empower women and collectively bring about change.

Watch the recording of the event here.

#HappeningNow in the Boaššu Tent

VirtualiTea on Indigenous Women´s scientific knowledge

Join in person or livehttps://t.co/Jha6lbCbTJ

— FAO Indigenous Peoples (@FAOIndigenous) October 20, 2022

FAO Members: How can the Women’s Committee better support you? Send your suggestions to [email protected]. Your ideas count and we would love to hear them!

This article was written by Cristina Alderighi (OSL) and Tina Farmer (DDCS).