FAQ

Addressing Gender Barriers Threatening the Guardians of Traditional Knowledge

What is Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK)?

TEK is the cumulative body of knowledge, practices, and beliefs Indigenous peoples have developed over centuries of living in harmony with their environments. It includes methods for sustainable farming, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience. Indigenous women, as primary custodians of TEK, play a vital role in preserving this knowledge.

Why are Indigenous women facing gender barriers in protecting TEK?

Indigenous women often face systemic barriers rooted in:

  • Patriarchal norms that limit their decision-making roles both within their communities and in external organizations.

  • Exclusion from global platforms, where policies about agriculture, biodiversity, and climate change are shaped without their input.

  • Economic and social inequalities, which restrict their access to resources, funding, and education necessary to advocate for TEK.

  • Discrimination and marginalization, which silence their voices in protecting and sharing their knowledge.

Why is protecting TEK important?

TEK is a cornerstone for solving global challenges like:

  • Climate Change: Indigenous practices are often more adaptive and sustainable than industrial methods.

  • Food Security: Indigenous women manage seed preservation and traditional farming practices that maintain biodiversity and food sovereignty.

  • Biodiversity Conservation: TEK promotes ecological balance and the protection of natural resources.

    Losing TEK means losing invaluable solutions to environmental and agricultural crises.

How do gender barriers affect the protection of TEK?

Gender barriers silence the voices of those most knowledgeable about sustainable practices. When Indigenous women cannot access platforms to advocate for TEK, it leads to:

  • Misappropriation of knowledge, such as corporations patenting seeds or practices without consent.

  • Erosion of cultural heritage, as younger generations lose access to their mothers’ and grandmothers’ wisdom.

  • Weak policy representation, where laws fail to protect TEK and the rights of its custodians.

Who benefits from protecting TEK and amplifying the voices of Indigenous women?

Everyone benefits. When Indigenous women can lead and share their TEK, we gain:

  • Stronger climate solutions rooted in sustainability.

  • More resilient food systems that feed communities without harming the planet.

  • Cultural preservation that enriches global diversity and fosters inclusivity.
    By supporting Indigenous women, we are safeguarding the planet’s future.

What is being done to address these gender barriers?

Organizations and movements are:

  • Advocating for policy reforms to include Indigenous women in decision-making processes.

  • Providing funding and resources for women-led TEK preservation projects.

  • Creating platforms for Indigenous women to share their knowledge and shape global agricultural and environmental policies.

  • Documenting and protecting TEK against misappropriation through legal and community-driven frameworks.

How can I help?

You can:

  1. Support organizations working to amplify the voices of Indigenous women and protect TEK.

  2. Advocate for policies that ensure fair benefit-sharing and protect Indigenous rights.

  3. Educate yourself and others about the contributions of TEK to sustainability and biodiversity.

  4. Respect Indigenous knowledge by supporting fair-trade practices and rejecting misappropriated products.

What happens if we fail to address this problem?

If we do not act, we risk:

  • Losing TEK, an irreplaceable resource for sustainable living.

  • Accelerating biodiversity loss as ecosystems suffer without traditional practices.

  • Deepening inequalities, leaving Indigenous women marginalized and vulnerable.
    The world cannot afford to silence the wisdom of its most sustainable stewards.