COP16 Dispatch: Week 1 From the talk to the World, Women Scientists Discuss Citizen Science

By Ana Valeria Medina and Zohra Zahir

In recent years, women scientists and community leaders have become leaders in advancing citizen science initiatives, especially in the context of biodiversity and conservation. From creating interactive mapping tools to advocating for policy change, these women are transforming how we understand and protect our environment. In a panel discussion at COP16-Columbia, powerful voices such as Cindy Julianty from Indonesia and Tanya Majdumar from India shared their insights on how women are leading the charge in biodiversity conservation through grassroots citizen science.

From left to right: Ana Valeria Medina, Yingyi Zhang, and Zohra Zahir
at COP16 in Cali, Colombia, on October 25, 2024.

Women Leading the Way in Biodiversity
Cindy Julianty, a member of the Indigenous and Community Conserved Areas (ICCA) Consortium and environmental justice activist highlighted the crucial role women play in leading biodiversity efforts, particularly in securing and protecting indigenous lands. ICCA is not just an acronym but a symbol of territories of life—lands and waters managed and conserved by indigenous peoples and local communities. These territories are important in maintaining the balance of ecosystems and biodiversity across the globe. Julianty passionately discussed the urgency of securing these lands for indigenous and local communities, emphasizing that their contributions to conservation are invaluable. “We need to secure the land for indigenous and local communities because they are the real contributors to conservation,” she said. “So, we must involve them in policymaking.” For Julianty, the journey ahead is long, with numerous hurdles—securing land rights, recognition, and integrating Indigenous knowledge into formal conservation policies. However, the work being done by women on the ground is paving the way for more inclusive and sustainable conservation efforts. “We have a big work ahead of us,” she said, reaffirming her belief that these communities should be seen as central players in the global conservation movement, not as marginalized voices.

Stories of Resilience and Innovation in India
Tanya Majdumar from India’s CCA platform shared her experience working with local communities to protect conserved areas. The CCA in India faces many challenges, ranging from restrictive laws and regulations to waning interest from communities, all exacerbated by climate change and a lack of funding. Despite these difficulties, women in these communities have taken the lead, fighting to sustain their efforts. In response to these challenges, Majdumar and her team developed a comprehensive database that catalogs ICCA-conserved areas throughout India. This database has become a valuable resource for community members and conservationists, acting as a bridge to share knowledge and resources. Additionally, they created an interactive platform that brings idea exchange, allowing individuals to collaborate, share strategies, and keep conservation efforts alive. Majdumar emphasized that these tools, especially the interactive map, empower local communities by giving them a voice in the global conservation conversation. It’s more than just data collection; it’s about fostering connections between communities and ensuring their knowledge is part of the broader conservation landscape.

Cindy Julianty presenting her work during a side event at COP16 in Cali, Colombia, on October 25, 2024.

A Call to Action
Both Julianty and Majdumar’s stories highlight the growing recognition of women’s leadership in biodiversity and conservation efforts. Through citizen science, women are documenting the rich biodiversity of their lands, creating tools for knowledge exchange, and advocating for policies that include the wisdom of indigenous and local communities. As the world faces ever-increasing environmental challenges, these women remind us that we cannot afford to overlook the voices of those who have been stewards of the land for centuries. Indigenous and local communities play a critical role in conservation, and their participation in policy-making and decision-making processes is essential for the survival of our planet.

We met Yingyi Zhang, a council member of ICCA, later in the Blue Zone, and she greeted us with a warm smile. Her main remark was profound: “The main challenge is the neglect of the value that indigenous and local communities bring to conservation.” She explained how some people criticize these communities, questioning why they need assistance if they are the protectors of the land. Zhang emphasized that they do need help—funding, support, and recognition of their invaluable contributions. “Women are playing a key role in protecting, conserving, and embracing the land,” she added, underscoring the essential role women continue to play in safeguarding our planet.

Disclaimer: Opinions are solely those of the guest contributor and not an official ESA policy or position.