The organisation 'Indigenous Women for Conservation, Research and Harnessing of Natural Resources in Mexico' wins 25th Bartolomé de las Casas Prize

The jury, presided by Fernando García Casas, State Secretary for International Cooperation and for Ibero-America and the Caribbean, decided to award this organisation, by a unanimous decision, for its work to recruit and train indigenous women, young people, and boys and girls, thanks to which they are provided with tools and knowledge to defend and exercise human rights, thus tackling three forms of discrimination (indigenous, poverty-related and gender-based) through a comprehensive approach.

Among its projects CIARENA A.C. provides legal advice to indigenous women that are victims of violence, through which the organisation seeks to provide visibility to this type of episode suffered by indigenous women, boys and girls on the national and international stage. Furthermore, its recommendations have been shared with the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and the Commission on the Status of Women.

Its work is also noteworthy in promoting and strengthening traditional knowledge, as well as in defending land and territory and the training of promoters of the rights of indigenous young people through cultural activities that allow the digital inequality gap to be bridged.

The Bartolomé de las Casas Prize has been awarded since 1991 by the State Secretary for International Cooperation and for Ibero-America and the Caribbean of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation and Casa de América [America House], with the aim of acknowledging work to foster understanding and harmony with indigenous peoples, as well as to foster the protection of their rights and respect for their values. It takes the name of the Dominican friar and chronicler Bartolomé de las Casas (1484-1566) - a symbol of the defence of indigenous rights. The prize is accompanied by an economic provision of 50,000 euros, which is awarded together with a medal bearing the effigy of Bartolomé de las Casas.

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