Celebrating Mountain Women: A Report on a Global Gathering in Bhutan, October 2002

This global gathering was an attempt to recognise and draw the world’s attention to mountain women’s immense contribution to sustaining life in harsh and fragile environments; to their roles, responsibilities, and rights as the nurturers of their families and communities; and to their stewardship of mountain ecosystems. It was a chance to admire and appreciate mountain women’s resilience and drive, their arduous labour, and their willingness to adapt to a changing milieu by taking on entrepreneurial activities to catch up with monetised economies whilst still preserving their old traditions and cultures for future generations. Women are the reservoirs of indigenous knowledge, and it is they who in the face of change and new challenges, struggle to keep themselves, their families, and their communities intact. As men out-migrate in ever-increasing numbers, life and living in the mountains is becoming harder by the day for the young, the old, and for women. The gathering created a space for learning: mountain women were able to share their experiences, exchange knowledge, and bring to light gender issues from different areas of the world. Viable and compelling lessons were shared, applicable across different regions where degraded upland environments and threatened food security affect livelihoods. Gaps in knowledge were identified and further research recommended to facilitate concrete action. Finally, working group sessions looked at ways of creating opportunities for mountain women to be recognised as ‘agents of change’.