The Joy of Knowing We Are Many: A Story of Women’s Leadership in Climate Action
The Women’s Gathering in Sarapiquí brought together women leaders from around the region to share their experiences implementing Ecosystem-Based Adaptation (EbA) measures in the fight against climate change.
© pexels
On a farm surrounded by trees and hope, a group of rural women came together to share more than knowledge: they shared life, struggle, and dreams. The Women’s Gathering in Sarapiquí, centered on women’s leadership in Ecosystem-Based Adaptation (EbA), was far more than a technical activity; it was a space of sisterhood, peer learning, and network-building that resonated deeply with every participant.
From the very start, the atmosphere was filled with trust. Each woman introduced herself with a symbolic object that represented her story. A seed, a tool, a piece of clothing… each one spoke of resilience, of community work, of the strength that grows from everyday life. Their stories intertwined like the roots that hold a forest together.
© Josefina Mena, GIZ
The visit to Natur Aqua farm was a defining moment. Host Julie Ross shared her experience as a woman leading a project focused on reforestation, sustainable production, and rural tourism. Participants didn’t just listen; they planted trees, discussed the challenges of accessing financing, and saw themselves reflected in the difficulties they face as rural women. The farm became a classroom, and planting became a symbol of what they were cultivating together.
Back in the meeting room, the conversation grew deeper as they spoke about issues that too rarely find a space: institutional neglect, violence, competition among women, and a lack of community support.
© Josefina Mena, GIZ
But they also built proposals: alliances, leadership strategies, support networks, and trainings tailored to their individual realities. Each group worked on a challenge, and together they envisioned how to confront it as a network.
By the end of the day, the women left with more than ideas. They left with the strength that comes from knowing they’re not alone, the motivation to continue leading, and the commitment to build together. One woman captured it perfectly: “I feel more empowered knowing I’m not crazy, but rather a woman with many projects ahead… And the joy of knowing we are many.”
© Josefina Mena, GIZ
This gathering demonstrated that peer-to-peer learning, when facilitated with a gender perspective and creating space for women to exchange openly, does more than transmit technical knowledge: It transforms realities, builds community, and plants the seeds of climate adaptation that is equitable, sustainable, and truly led from the local level.
- Country: Costa Rica
- Project:
- Contact:
Dra. Astrid Michels
