By: Charles Taurepang
Last Friday (23), coordinators and representatives of the base ethnoregions of the Indigenous Council of Roraima (CIR) discussed the calendar of the next activities of the Indigenous Women's Movement, including the Meeting of the Indigenous Women's Movement, the Meeting of Women of Demarcated Indigenous Lands on Islands, and the Indigenous Women's Fair. The definition of dates and the organization of activities were among the points of the meeting.
The meeting was held by the CIR, through the Department of Indigenous Women, coordinated by the General Tuxaua of the Indigenous Women's Movement of the CIR, Kelliane Wapichana. The meeting was attended by lawyer Dr. Joenia Wapichana and Jessica do Vale, from the Social Participation and Diversity Advisory of the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples (MPI). Advisor Kaline Mota and assistant Leirejane Macuxi, both from the department, also participated.
During the meeting, the coordinators shared information about the projects developed in the communities, the challenges faced, and the results achieved. Between 2024 and 2026, the Department of Indigenous Women of the CIR implemented more than 40 projects, supporting initiatives led by women in the territories.
"These meetings are important for us to see where we are getting it right or wrong in the projects, to listen to the challenges, but especially the positive results that are being developed in the communities", explained Kelliane Wapichana.
Representatives of the regions of Itacutu, Amajari, Serras, Baixo Cotingo, Murupú, Alto Cauamé, Raposa, Serra da Lua, Tabaio and Wai Wai shared local experiences and initiatives. Among the actions presented are the cultivation of pepper and bananas, the production of handicrafts, animal husbandry, participation in training courses, indigenous brigades and exchanges with other peoples.
The women's coordinator of the Wai Wai region, Devanir Wai Wai highlighted the changes in women's participation in decision-making spaces and community activities, emphasizing the importance of having a voice and autonomy to conduct their own initiatives.
"Today the leaders admire me because I don't want to be down anymore, I want to speak. We have the right to speak", said Devanir.
Another topic discussed was the construction of the Protocol for the Safety of Indigenous Women, Children and Youth, with the participation of Dr. Luciane Xavier, from the Macuxi people, legal advisor to the CIR. The initiative seeks to build, together with the communities, strategies for protection and reception in situations of violence.
"The construction of the Security Protocol is an important step to strengthen the protection of indigenous women, children and young people. We want to build, together with the communities, an instrument that respects our organization, values our knowledge and guarantees safe paths of reception for victims of violence. It is also essential that the public authorities assume their responsibility in guaranteeing our rights and the safety of people in situations of violence", said Luciane Xavier.
As a guideline, the coordinators continue to align the next activities of the Indigenous Women's Movement, with the aim of expanding the participation of ethnoregions and strengthening the initiatives developed by women in the communities.
The meeting is supported by Tenure Facility.