For many people, the Amazon and Kalimantan exist as two distant places on opposite sides of the world. But for Valeska, an Indigenous woman from the Peruvian Amazon, arriving in Kalimantan felt like recognising something familiar.
Although separated by thousands of kilometres, the Amazon rainforest and the tropical forests of Kalimantan share more than extraordinary biodiversity. Both are ancestral territories where Indigenous peoples have lived for generations, building livelihoods that are deeply connected to the land.
Carrying stories from her own community, Valeska was welcomed into the daily life of the women of Gunung Karasik. Through shared meals, conversations, laughter, and collective work, they spoke about cultivating gardens to support their livelihoods, raising families, protecting customary lands, and creating opportunities for future generations.
Despite living hours away, speaking different languages, and practising different traditions, their realities were strikingly similar. Across both regions, Indigenous communities continue to navigate environmental degradation, changing landscapes, and limited economic opportunities. In the face of these challenges, women remain at the heart of community resilience, nurturing not only their families but also the knowledge, solidarity, and determination that keep their communities moving forward.
When Indigenous women from different parts of the world come together, they do more than exchange experiences. They build solidarity, inspire one another, and remind us that while their struggles may be rooted in different places, they are still connected by a shared commitment to protecting their lands, cultures, and future generations.