Celebrating indigenous women scientist on the International Day of Women and Girls in Science
On the International Day of Women and Girls in Science we celebrate indigenous women and their knowledge, and we would like to highlight some indigenous women scientists and their achievements.
Science, gender equality, and the inclusion and participation of indigenous peoples and especially indigenous women are vital for the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Indigenous women are food providers, custodians of seeds, keepers of medicinal plants, and guardians of biodiversity. The indigenous traditional knowledge they hold is key for nature- based solutions in the context of climate change and sustainable development.
Over the past 15 years, the global community has made a lot of effort in inspiring and engaging women and girls in science, unfortunately, indigenous women continue to face inequalities, biases, and the systematic lack of respect for their individual and collective rights that places them in situations of vulnerability.
The empowerment of indigenous women is not only a central issue but also a necessary condition in order to achieve these goals. The ancestral knowledge they hold and the profound knowledge they have of their unique territories makes their contribution to science especially important.
This wealth of knowledge may include the medicinal value and food use of plants, herbs, shrubs, and trees. Such knowledge is contemporary and dynamic evolving nowadays under constant pressures. indigenous women’s knowledge, activities and community roles are reliant on their relationship with Mother Earth, their territories, and natural resources.
Today on the International Day of Women and Girls in Science we celebrate indigenous women and their knowledge, and we would like to highlight some indigenous women scientists and their achievements. This year’s celebration of the Day will address the theme “Women Scientists at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19”, a fight in which indigenous women have played a fundamental role.