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During the week of June 3 to 8, I participated in the “Coastal Women: Stewards of the Sea” meeting, as well as the high-level event “Immersed in Change.” Below, I share a bit about the activities that took place as part of these events, as well as the results of my participation.
Context
What are “Coastal Women: Stewards of the Sea” and “Immersed in Change”?
To understand what these events are and why they are relevant for Costa Rica and, in particular, for our organization, it is important to know about the UNOC3, or the Third United Nations Oceans Conference.
The UNOC3 is a high-level conference aimed at supporting urgent measures to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources.
What does "high-level" mean?
When an event is described as “high-level,” it means that discussions and conversations of global interest will take place in that space. Therefore, the participants in these events are typically senior UN officials, as well as government authorities and officials (presidents, ministers, etc.), prominent scientists, business leaders, civil society leaders, and others.
The UNOC3 will be held in Nice, France, in June 2025 and is co-organized by the governments of Costa Rica and France.
As the government of Costa Rica is a co-organizer of this significant event, this year our country hosted the 2024 Costa Rica UN Ocean Conference Pre-Meeting, or the Costa Rica Pre-Meeting for the United Nations Ocean Conference 2024. This pre-meeting has been named “Immersed in Change.”
“Immersed in Change” was also a high-level event that served to discuss issues of global importance regarding oceans and to promote specific actions to address the serious environmental crisis facing this ecosystem.
It was in the context of this pre-meeting that the two events in which I represented Dìwö took place.
So, what was the “Coastal Women: Stewards of the Sea” about?
“Coastal Women: Stewards of the Sea” was a gathering of 25 women leaders from coastal and marine areas in 10 countries across Latin America and the Caribbean. The aim was to promote the exchange of knowledge among these women leaders and with government authorities, strengthen their leadership, and, especially, to draft a declaration or call to action summarizing the needs, commitments, and demands of coastal women in Latin America in preparation for UNOC3. An important point is that this was the first of four such meetings. The other three will take place in Asia, Oceania, and the Pacific.
This gathering took place on Isla Chira, Puntarenas, from June 3 to 6, and was co-organized by Conservation International, Wildlife Conservation Society, and Ocean Outcomes in partnership with eight other organizations, including Dìwö.
How did Dìwö become a partner in this important event?
In 2023, the French Embassy in Costa Rica, one of our key allies, proposed that Dìwö organize the first Central American meeting of indigenous, rural, and coastal women for the conservation of oceans and other marine ecosystems. We received funding and began organizing the event. However, a month before the event, the Embassy informed us that, due to differences in political interests among the French ambassadors in the Central American countries, the event would have to be canceled.
To remedy this situation, the Embassy connected us with Pamela Castillo, former Vice Minister of Environment in Costa Rica and the Global Director of the 30x30 Strategy at the Wildlife Conservation Society. This strategy aims to conserve 30% of marine resources by the year 2023. The purpose of the conversation was to explore the possibility of Dìwö sponsoring five women leaders to travel to Costa Rica and participate in this meeting, using the funds that the Embassy had donated to Dìwö for the canceled event. We agreed and contributed $6,000 to the project.
An important fact is that of the 11 partner organizations, Dìwö made the largest contribution to this initiative. This is how we became partners in this gathering.
The other partner organizations were:
● Ministerio de la Condición de la Mujer.
● Gobierno de Francia.
● Fondo Global de Medio Ambiente.
● IUCN.
● MARFund.
● Fondo de Población de las Naciones Unidas.
● Programa de las Naciones Unidas para el Desarrollo.
● Movilizatorio.
What happened from June 3 to 6 on Isla Chira?
Day 1: Arrival
June 3
On Monday, June 3, a group of approximately 45 people, including women leaders, representatives of the 11 partner organizations, government authorities, press, and others, set out for Puntarenas, where we made our first stop at a hotel to share a lunch. This was the first occasion for Dìwö, represented by Jimena, to meet with the five women sponsored by our organization. These women came from countries such as Guatemala, Honduras, and Belize. During the lunch, each of the women briefly shared about their backgrounds. They included members of fishing associations, participants in conservation areas, and even one who is the first Miskito indigenous woman to graduate with a degree in Biology in her country.
During the same lunch, we were introduced to the Minister of Women’s Affairs, Cindy Quesada, and the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Heiner Méndez. Afterwards, we took a boat that transported us to Isla Chira, where we were welcomed by women leaders from the island, including members of the Integral Development Association.
Finally, we were transported to Posada Rural La Amistad, the venue for this gathering. There, we conducted the first introductory workshop, which involved an exercise led by Movilizatorio. Each woman had to write about who she is and what she does, her achievements, and her needs. This information was displayed in the physical space throughout the entire meeting alongside a blank sheet of paper. This way, each woman could approach to read what her peers had written and leave an encouraging message that they could take back to their countries. Dìwö participated in this activity.
Day 2: The Exchange
June 4
On the second day of the gathering, coastal women leaders and partner organizations participated in separate sessions. The women leaders focused on crafting the call to action with guidance and support from Movilizatorio, while the partner organizations engaged in a workshop exchanging best practices on gender issues.
Some of the key findings and outcomes from this workshop are:
While international agencies and donors seek to fund initiatives that integrate gender and intersectionality into projects, this perspective differs somewhat within executing organizations. Typically, those advocating for these approaches are field personnel working directly with communities. However, it's challenging for senior management within these organizations to fully understand the value of having gender specialists in their institutions.
Gender specialists shouldn't only be brought in for projects with defined timelines. It's crucial to have a dedicated gender specialist working within the organization itself, as their role extends beyond the completion of specific projects.
Organizations need to prioritize integrating gender perspectives not only into proposed projects but also internally. They should employ professionals who are sensitive to gender issues and continually train them accordingly.
Gender policies within organizations should be realistically implemented, rather than being seen solely as a requirement to fulfill for funders. These policies should be tailored for each project.
Organizations working with communities must be trained and equipped to engage effectively with diverse groups of people.
Approaching projects from a gender perspective should include considerations for children and adolescents. Ensuring discrimination-free spaces where mothers can attend and participate is essential. Organizations should create welcoming environments where children can also participate, with professionals capable of addressing their needs.
It's important to integrate gender perspectives into language use.
Projects should be planned based on the gender needs of communities, not the other way around.
Some organizations, like IUCN, have gender protocols that can serve as guides for others. Promoting the exchange of such materials is crucial.
There are initiatives that support gender-focused projects, such as the Semillas Fund and the Together Women Rise Fund.
All of these points were discussed among the partner organizations.
Day 3: The Call to Action
June 5
By this day, the coastal women leaders had already crafted a significant portion of the call to action that would be presented to the authorities and observers arriving on the island.
This important document summarizes the primary needs and demands of women who directly or indirectly depend on oceans and other marine ecosystems in the region. The call encompasses 5 key themes: violence, care, health, work, and leadership.
To delve deeper into each of these themes, you can read the call here.
The coastal women leaders, also referred to as guardians of the ocean, presented the call to action to authorities and representatives from the Embassies of France, Mexico, Spain, and Colombia, as well as the Integral Development Association of Isla Chira, the Ministry of Women's Affairs, the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, the Alternate Directorate of Foreign Policy, the Costa Rican Fire Department, the Costa Rican Coast Guard, the 11 organizations, and many other witnesses. They also proceeded to sign the call to action on the same day on Isla Chira. After this event, a lunch was shared at a floating restaurant located on Isla Venado, followed by a visit to the beach.
Day 4: The Return
June 6
On the final day of the gathering, we began by visiting the mangrove restoration project by Conservation International in collaboration with the Mixed Fishermen's Association of Montero. Members of the community explained how they have organized themselves to carry out this project. They shared some interesting facts:
They have successfully linked the mangrove restoration project with tourism.
The mangrove restoration project was initiated 14 years ago by the initiative of women in the community, later joined by fishermen groups looking to diversify their productive activities.
In addition to restoration and conservation activities, they are involved in organic agriculture and shellfish extraction projects.
They are part of the COVIRENAS program and have a fire prevention and control brigade.
They have reported and sustained legal processes on issues such as drug trafficking and hunting.
The project has expanded and scaled up to become the responsible fishing marine area Palito Montero.
Following this demonstration, we were transported to Puntarenas, where we received a tour of the facilities of the National Institute for Women in the area. Afterwards, we returned to the Park Inn hotel.
What happened Thursday night at the Park Inn?
In addition to sponsoring the five Central American women, Dìwö successfully brought Mrs. Catherine Chabaud from France through funding from the Embassy. Mrs. Chabaud is a Member of the European Parliament and the first woman to sail solo around the world.
Together with Mrs. Chabaud and representatives from the French Embassy in Costa Rica, we held a meeting where the five Central American women sponsored by Dìwö and representatives from partner organizations participated. During this meeting, the parliamentarian had the opportunity to hear directly from the guardians about their experience at the gathering, the process of crafting the call to action, and the needs and demands of coastal women. The meeting lasted approximately 1 hour.
Finally, another significant moment from "Immersed in Change" was Dìwö's achievement in establishing a meeting space with Mrs. Catherine Chabaud, where we presented our organization's work and emphasized the importance for us, as an organization supporting various populations including the coastal community of Sierpe, to be partners in such an event. Additionally, we discussed the relevance of conducting and promoting gatherings like the one held on Isla Chira to strengthen the leadership of coastal women and the importance of engaging in dialogues with other sectors to responsibly address and commit to the demands outlined in the call to action.
What did we learn from this experience?
Participating as partners in this event alongside internationally renowned organizations such as Wildlife Conservation Society, Conservation International, Global Environmental Facility, and other partner organizations was not only a great opportunity to establish our presence, create contacts, and learn from leading conservation organizations, but also highlighted that Dìwö operates at the same level as these organizations, demanding that we elevate our standards in many aspects.
These events urge us to broaden our vision and focus on Costa Rica's coastal areas. While Dìwö has implemented a pilot plan in the Térraba Sierpe National Wetland for mangrove restoration and currently conducts activities for the socio-economic strengthening of the coastal population in the same area, it is evident that there is a real need to secure funding and provide support to people, especially women, living in coastal areas to develop projects contributing to conservation efforts. This will be our focus moving forward.
Regarding gender issues, participating in the event reminds us of our responsibility and commitment to the gender perspective that characterizes our organization, which was also emphasized by the women guardians of the seas to NGOs during the event. They expressed concerns that these organizations have replicated sexist and violent dynamics within communities. This serves as a wake-up call for our organization to continue promoting activities and initiatives that foster the participation and development of women in the communities we work with, while also ensuring the protection of women within our organization. We must take seriously the implementation of our existing gender policies and integrate gender specialists to oversee this work.
On a technical level, many of the methodologies implemented during the event serve as references for us when implementing our activities.
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