IWD: Marinez's story

Marinez is an inspiring woman. She’s a midwife, an artisan, and she makes traditional natural medicines. She’s also the first woman indigenous community leader in her region.

In her community in the indigenous territory of Malacacheta, Brazil, Marinez is raising awareness of climate change and the environment. She’s also teaching the community’s young people how to adapt to the problems they’re facing and respect the environment.

Marinez is passionate about this work. “We’re experiencing changes in the weather: lots of heat, lots of rain. If we hope that rain arrives, it goes the other way, and if we don’t want it, it comes, very fast. These are things that I have never seen, during my lifetime. To confront climate change, the most important thing is to raise awareness amongst our children, let them know what is happening, because they are our future.”

CAFOD’s partner, CIR, is supporting Marinez and others in raising awareness and finding ways based on traditional indigenous knowledge to adapt and become more resilient to climate change.

Equally important are the talks and workshops they provide in indigenous communities to raise awareness on violence against women, health, HIV and AIDS, and alcoholism. They’re also helping women earn more money from selling traditional crafts in local markets. Marinez works to support and educate women in her community, and she’s an exceptional role model for the younger generation.

On International Women’s Day, Marinez continues to rally the future generation to protect their environment. “We’re experiencing climate change, and we need support so we can confront this issue together. We are counting on your support, to share this pain that we are feeling today.”