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BACKGROUND

The Afro Women’s Community Council of Patía California is an Afro-descendant community created in 2020 and organized under the figure of a Community Council, in compliance with the guidelines of Law 70 of 1993 of Colombia. It has a population of 80 people (72% are women) and is made up of 30 families.

This is the first community council formed exclusively by women, highlighting its matrifocal structure and its own governance model. Through collective decision-making, the community has strengthened its territorial autonomy and the preservation of its ancestral practices, with active female participation in the management of the territory.

In 2024, the Council obtained the collective title of 99.3 hectares through the National Land Agency (ANT), consolidating rights over an ancestral territory of 1,633.4 hectares historically occupied by the community. These lands, previously provided provisionally by the Colombian Institute for Rural Development (INCODER), are essential for the subsistence, social cohesion and cultural development of the Afro-descendant community.

With the support of the ANT, the Council has implemented productive projects such as cattle raising and lemon cultivation, thus strengthening its economic autonomy. In addition, it has led environmental conservation initiatives, such as the creation of Community Conservation Areas with a focus on Black People, covering 367.1 hectares. This effort, supported by the PCN and RRI, reaffirms the commitment to ecological sustainability and the improvement of living conditions.

Women, through consultation and collective participation mechanisms, have promoted inclusive decision-making and the strengthening of matrifocal leadership. They implement training strategies in territorial rights and promote mingas and other community activities, which reinforces their capacity for self-governance. In addition, collective work in home gardens, livestock, artisanal fishing and fruit harvesting ensures food security and economic sustainability for the community.

Faced with the challenges of marketing products such as lemons, the Council proposes productive alternatives, such as pulping and the implementation of an agro-silvopastoral system, seeking to diversify income and promote equitable and sustainable economic development.

TRAVEL AND LOGISTICS

June 12
Visitors will travel by plane from Bogotá to Popayán (1 hour 15 minutes flight). From there, they will travel by land to the territory of the Afro Women’s Community Council of Patía California; a land trip of approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes. In the territory, a 40-minute walk will be carried out guided by the women, with a low level of effort. Participants will travel back to Bogotá on June 14, 2025.

June 15
Visitors will participate in the pre-forum: Land, memory and justice: an Afro-descendant legacy, to be held in Bogotá.

The nights of 12 and 13 June, participants will stay at the San Martín hotel in the city of Popayán in shared rooms. On the night of 14 June, they will stay at the Tequendama Hotel in Bogotá.

Food is local food provided by the organizations, based on rice, vegetables, tubers and meats (beef, pork, chicken, fish). There is a variety of local fruits and options for vegetarians or vegans.

YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT

  • Sustainable land management practices and strategies for community conservation.
  • Successful experiences of female leadership in natural resource management
  • Community productive projects, such as lemon cultivation and livestock farming.
  • Public policies that support collective land titling in Colombia.

WHAT TO BRING

The weather is warm, with average temperatures between 23°C and 30°C. It is recommended to bring cool clothing, preferably covering arms and neck, a cap or hat, comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a reusable bottle. A light raincoat for possible rain.

PARTICIPANTS

  • will participate in activities guided by the Community Council to learn about conservation areas and productive projects.
  • will discuss with women leaders the challenges and achievements in defending the territory.
  • will visit cultural and productive spaces such as the California farm and community livestock areas.
  • will participate in the pre-forum ‘Land, memory and justice: an Afro-descendant legacy’ to dialogue with various relevant actors on the importance of the territorial rights of Afro-descendant communities, the advances in the process of collective titling, the challenges, challenges and opportunities for the protection and strengthening of their territories. It is expected to produce a joint statement to the Global Land Forum.