Food sovereignty through Gender Equity in Indigenous Communities: a case study in Wayúu communities, Colombia

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The Wayúu are the main indigenous group in Colombia, located at the northeast of the country and are known by their activities as farmers, fishermen, artisans and merchants. The Wayúu have a difficult history of colonization, territorial conflicts, natural resources degradation and, recently, serious problems related to food security and sovereignty. Wayúu women have a relevant and respect role in their society, not just because is a matrilineal and matrilocal society, but also because women mediate several conflict types, are highly active in the political spheres at the local, regional and national level, and oversee the Wayúu culture transmission through generations.

In light of these characteristics, it is possible to interpret the Wayúu society as one with gender equality; however, in an indigenous community context, what means and how can be measure gender equity?

Given this, the overall goal of this study is understanding gender equity from a Latin American indigenous perspective, analysing if this approach leads to new ways to interpret food sovereignty in this context.