Korebaju Indigenous women’s knowledge, Colombia

"Korebaju women, seeds of thought to harvest the good life of new generations." This guiding vision captures the essence of a transformative process unfolding in Solano, Caquetá, where Korebaju Indigenous women are leading efforts to restore the Amazon forest and strengthen community well-being. Against a backdrop of ecological degradation, armed conflict, and gender inequality, these women have asserted their role as key custodians of the territory through the Working Landscapes project led by Tropenbos Colombia. By reclaiming traditional knowledge and promoting gender equity, Korebaju women have led initiatives in three key areas: creating a community-based response to gender-based violence, revitalising food systems through seed exchanges and chagra cultivation, and managing family nurseries for ecological restoration. These actions, rooted in the philosophy of buen vivir (good living), connect care for the land with care for the community. Their leadership in restoration efforts, from selecting native species to managing nurseries, demonstrates a deep ecological understanding and a commitment to collective benefit. Through participatory governance, intercultural dialogue, and intergenerational knowledge exchange, Korebaju women are reweaving social and ecological ties. Their experience shows that sustainable forest management and climate resilience are inseparable from women’s empowerment and cultural continuity.