Justina Canchi Cayabari is a Chhätidye’ leader who has spent more than two decades promoting various projects that benefit the Tsimane’ communities.
Early in her career, she worked as a translator at training sessions and workshops organised by the NGO Solidaridad Médica – where she continues to work today. She acted as a bridge between two worlds, bringing together the knowledge of trainers and indigenous women. Furthermore, Justina organises and coordinates the activities of health promoters at the health posts in many communities along the upper Maniqui River. She also addresses any issues that may arise between medical staff and community members to ensure fair treatment free from discrimination.
Since 2015, she has been running the so-called Gender Project: an initiative of her own, and that of Dr Pepe (her partner), which arose from the injustices suffered by women in their homes and their desire to combat them. As part of this project, women from different communities were trained to make and sell handicrafts and to cultivate vegetable gardens – amongst other activities. In this safe space, the women share both their knowledge and their concerns, highlighting the gender-based violence they endure in their daily lives. It is a space where they learn about their rights as women, and where they value, respect and support one another.
“My aim is for women not to depend on their husbands, but on themselves. I want them to be leaders, fighters, to be strong and independent.”
Justina Canchi is a knowledgeable and key leader with whom we are honoured to work. She has enabled us to understand Tsimane’ culture and the Tsimane’ world from a perspective that, sadly, is still largely undervalued and overlooked: that of women.
The IEK-CHANGES project is an ERC Starting Grant funded by the European Union (IEK-CHANGES, 101117423) to Dr. Álvaro Fernández-Llamazares.
Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Council Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
El proyecto IEK-CHANGES es una beca «Starting Grant» del Consejo Europeo de Investigación (ERC) financiada por la Unión Europea (IEK-CHANGES, 101117423) y concedida al Dr. Álvaro Fernández-Llamazares.
No obstante, las opiniones y puntos de vista expresados son exclusivamente de los autores y no reflejan necesariamente los de la Unión Europea ni los de la Agencia Ejecutiva del Consejo Europeo de Investigación. Ni la Unión Europea ni la autoridad que concede la subvención se hacen responsables de los mismos.
