The training meeting “Indigenous Women in the Cerrado in defence of their rights” was part of the project “Patak Maymu: Autonomy and participation of indigenous women from the Amazon and the Cerrado in the defence of their rights”. Training sessions took place between 25 and 29 February in Campo Grande, in Mato Grosso do Sul, and were run by CESE, with support and funding from the European Union.
Representatives from a number of indigenous women’s organizations came together for the training, which was attended by approximately 35 participants from more than 13 peoples, including the Xakriabá, Kawaiwete/Kaiabi, Yawalapiti, Xavante, Kiriri, Guarani e Kaiowá, Kurâ Bakairi, Boe Bororo, Kadweu, Xucuru-Kariri, Krikati, Terena and Krahô.
The training addressed themes such as Resistance and Struggle in Indigenous Territories, Communications, Challenges and Pathways to maintaining indigenous women’s organizations, and a Workshop about Good Project Management Practices and How to Draft Social Projects.
The Patak Maymu project is aimed at the training, leadership and autonomy of indigenous women and their organizations, based on educational and networking activities. The activity focused on the Management and Drafting of Social Projects, to provide participants with more project management practice, from drafting proposals to preparing accounts.
A mapping of female indigenous communicators was also presented during the sessions, to strengthen the leadership of indigenous women and their organizations.
To conclude the meeting, the participants visited the Pantanal Biopark, known as the Pantanal Aquarium, which is the largest freshwater aquarium complex in the world. They also visited the Terena people’s urban community – Marçal de Souza, named after a great Guarani leader, murdered for defending indigenous people’s rights.
