Beekeeping sweetens incomes and protects pollinators in rural Colombia

The Páramo de Pisba, located in the eastern cordillera mountain range of Boyacá province, is an important Andean ecosystem that reaches elevations of up to 5,300 meters above sea level. This region is home to around 20,000 rural women, known as Campesinas, who depend on the land for their livelihood.

Despite their understanding of the ecosystem and the impacts of human activities, such as livestock, agriculture, mining and climate change, the Campesinas face significant challenges. Gender discrimination thwarts their economic inclusion, limits their rights, and prevents them from participating in any decision-making processes.

A project focused on empowering Campesinas in environmental and gender rights, economic independence, and political engagement has been implemented to address these issues. Coordinated by the Instituto Latinoamericano para una Sociedad y un Derecho Alternativos (ILSA), and led by women’s association from each of the nine participating municipalities, the project aims to strengthen the voices of women, enhance their land and territorial rights, and promote sustainable development initiatives.

The project includes a beekeeping initiative in which women obtain hives and tools required to manage a bee colony. Through this activity, they are able to produce and sell honey and other products, while also ensuring pollinators are in good health. Part of the training includes distribution of stickers that include some pollinator facts, translated below:

• The most threatened pollinators in the world are the honey bees
• Pollinators contribute to the fruit having better quality in size, shape and weight. 
• Feed them sunflowers, mint, lavender, rosemary, basil, thyme. Flowers: Cucumbers, onions, chives, pumpkins, broccoli, cauliflower, apple, cherry, blackberries

Emilse Ravelo is a testament to the true impact of the project. As treasurer of Agromujerespisba and now a municipal Councillor in Pisba, Ravelo has participated in ILSA’s training programs on human rights, women’s political participation, and agricultural initiatives.

The project’s evaluation findings indicate a need for continued support in strengthening network processes, enforceability of rights in political agendas, and accessing income projects, credit and savings options. By addressing these needs, the project can further empower rural women in the Páramo de Pisba to defend their territory, counteract climate change, and manage resources sustainably.