Reflections from AWID: Celebrating Latin America’s Feminist Leaders and Their Vision for Climate Justice
By Daniela Perez, Director of North America/Pacific Programs, Women’s Earth Alliance
Earlier this month, I had the privilege of attending the Latin American hub of the 15th Forum of the Association for Women's Rights in Development (AWID), hosted by Fondo Semillas, and Prospera International Network of Women’s Funds. Held in the heart of Mexico City, this event convened feminist leaders from across the region, including Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, and Paraguay—women who are weaving new futures in the face of climate crises and systemic injustice.
The opening session, Experiences of Climate Resilience & Decoloniality in Latin America, which I had the honor of moderating, set the tone. It was a conversation steeped in ancestral wisdom, personal truth, and radical imagination. Women shared stories of defending their lands, bridging generations, and grounding climate action in traditional knowledge. These narratives shed light on many of the common experiences that women environmental defenders face around the world, regardless of location — and underscored an important message that emerges from these collective experiences: that climate justice is inextricably tied to feminist action, and the solutions we seek must come from those most impacted by the crises we face.
Why This Moment Mattered
Why did we gather? Because creating pathways to a just and sustainable future requires us to come together—to listen, share, and build. This forum wasn’t just about presenting solutions; it was about recognizing the necessity of healing, creativity, and collective action as tools for dismantling oppressive systems and envisioning liberated futures.
In workshops, we made mandalas, staged theatrical expressions, and processed our shared grief and hope. These creative practices weren’t just exercises; they were acts of resistance. They reminded us that addressing systemic harm requires healing on every level—individual, communal, and global. For me, these moments reinforced that creativity is not a luxury but a necessity in movements for justice.
What We’re Building Together
Throughout the forum, I was struck by the recurring themes of intergenerational wisdom, cultural resistance, and community-centered action. These themes are not just ideas; they are practices embodied by the feminist leaders who participated, including WEA’s Mexico Program Leads.
For example, leaders from WEA Program Lead organizations like Mujeres de la Tierra, Mujeres de la Periferia, Unión de Pueblos de Morelos, and Poj Kaa demonstrated how agroecology projects and women-led governance models connect local actions with global goals. They showed how cultural traditions—storytelling, rituals, and art—can challenge dominant narratives and strengthen resilience.
This work is not easy. These leaders called out the urgent need for equitable funding that honors grassroots expertise and ensures that local efforts can thrive sustainably. It’s a call we must amplify, as these solutions are not only vital for Latin America but for the entire world.
Why This Matters for All of Us
The stories and strategies shared during the forum are reminders of why this work matters. Feminist leadership is about more than addressing symptoms; it’s about transforming systems. When we integrate healing and creativity into our movements, we are not only resisting harm but actively building the world we want to see.
As we return to our work at WEA, Laura and I will carry with us the voices, wisdom, and determination of the women we were able to share time and space with in Mexico City. Their courage fuels our commitment to stand in solidarity and to continue supporting efforts that center equity, resilience, and justice.
This forum reminded me that while the challenges we face are vast, so is our collective power. Together, we are creating a world rooted in care, creativity, and liberation — something we can all be part of.