National Consultation on Adivasi Women, Forests and Livelihoods was held from May 16th to 18th in Keystone Foundation Campus. Dhaatri and Keystone Foundation took the lead of the event along with other partners. This consultation, aimed at bringing together several Adivasi women’s rights groups to reflect, envision and explore the multiple forms of strategic advocacy processes and other needs for upholding Adivasi women’s knowledge and to influence policy dialogues with locally sustainable women’s practices.

The consultation and workshop was also a platform for coming together of 40 Adivasi women and their representatives from the partner organizations in person after a long time of virtual meets. Main objectives of the meet were, to share details of site-specific gendered violations faced by women on FRA in Protected Areas, mining, CAMPA and other project areas. To share and strategize Adivasi women’s forest-based livelihoods and enterprises and discuss conservation actions. To plan for coordination and identification of areas for documentation and research on Adivasi Women’s concerns in India including biodiversity related aspects.

One of the days was dedicated for a field visit to Banglapadi production centre to understand and witness the linkage between women and forests through an enterprise. The day was well spent with Janakiyamma- one of the Board of Director of Aadhimalai, Shivaraj-staff of Keystone and local resident of the place, Kaaliyappa- Banglapadi production centre incharge and the Aadhimalai women team of the centre taking lead in explaining and showcasing their work related to NTFPs and farm products. Everyone enjoyed the Traditional lunch made from millets, local vegetables and pulses. Afternoon included demonstration on water test and presentation on importance of biodiversity documentation and Barefoot Ecology work.

There was deliberation on gender audits, gender impact assessments with case studies to give an idea to plan on coordinated ways to build empirical data and analysis on the status of Adivasi women linked with forest and livelihoods. One of the important and current topics discussed in the event was effects of Climate Change on the Women’s livelihood and the impact of the current Climate actions. As most of the climate actions is mainly top down without consideration of the needs and diverse local nature-based solutions of women.

Three days discussions paved way to listen to voices of the Adivasi women from the ground. Their experiences, views, opinions and needs were presented. It was not just the time to speak about the issues but also time to share solutions and strategies to bring the women voices to the fore. Women’s knowledge systems on natural resources and its importance were highlighted. It was a powerful and productive time spent with songs, stories, laughter and cries building solidarity and creating new networks.