{"id":40701,"date":"2026-03-10T11:49:07","date_gmt":"2026-03-10T17:49:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/?p=40701"},"modified":"2026-03-10T13:43:19","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T19:43:19","slug":"mujeres-que-transforman-territorios-el-aporte-del-catie-al-liderazgo-femenino","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/en\/2026\/03\/10\/mujeres-que-transforman-territorios-el-aporte-del-catie-al-liderazgo-femenino\/","title":{"rendered":"Women transforming territories: CATIE\u2019s contribution to female leadership"},"content":{"rendered":"<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><em><em><em><em><em><em><em>On the occasion of International Women\u2019s Day, CATIE highlights the contribution of women in research, academic training, and community engagement across Latin America and the Caribbean.\u00a0<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/li><\/ul><p>In commemoration of International Women\u2019s Day, CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center) highlights the role women play in scientific research, postgraduate education, institutional management, and field-based work that drives solutions for sustainable development in the region.&nbsp;<\/p><p>Women have strengthened their presence within the institution and in areas historically dominated by men. As of January 2026, CATIE records 131 women among a total of 374 staff members. Of these, 100 work at the headquarters and 31 in offices across different countries, while 12 hold leadership positions, reflecting progress in participation and institutional decision-making.\u00a0<br><\/p><div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"850\" src=\"https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Carrusel-8M-Hellen.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40712\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Carrusel-8M-Hellen.jpg 850w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Carrusel-8M-Hellen-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Carrusel-8M-Hellen-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Carrusel-8M-Hellen-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Carrusel-8M-Hellen-12x12.jpg 12w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Carrusel-8M-Hellen-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Carrusel-8M-Hellen-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Carrusel-8M-Hellen-250x250.jpg 250w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><p><br>Beyond the figures, female leadership is also built through professional experiences. Helen Choco, CATIE\u2019s Country Representative in Belize and a graduate of the CATIE Graduate School, notes that cultural challenges in the exercise of female leadership still persist.\u00a0<\/p><p>\u201cThe most invisible challenge is being a young woman leader and fighting for my vision and my opinion in a culture where men have always gone first,\u201d she states.\u00a0<br><\/p><div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"850\" src=\"https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Carrusel-8M-Hazel.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40711\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Carrusel-8M-Hazel.jpg 850w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Carrusel-8M-Hazel-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Carrusel-8M-Hazel-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Carrusel-8M-Hazel-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Carrusel-8M-Hazel-12x12.jpg 12w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Carrusel-8M-Hazel-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Carrusel-8M-Hazel-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Carrusel-8M-Hazel-250x250.jpg 250w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><p><br>This experience is complemented by the identification of conditions that still limit equal opportunities within organizations. Hazel Montero, CATIE\u2019s auditor, emphasizes the burden of caregiving responsibilities and biases toward women\u2019s authority in roles related to institutional oversight and improvement: \u201cI have to fulfill my work schedule, be a mother, and meet my household responsibilities, and many people do not see that. Another point is that in these types of positions one is often minimized for being a woman.\u201d\u00a0<\/p><p>Despite this, academic training has been key in promoting women\u2019s leadership in the agro-environmental sector. Through its Graduate School, CATIE has trained professionals who now hold strategic roles in public institutions, regional organizations, and development agencies.&nbsp;<\/p><p>Between 1946 and 2025, 928 women from 30 countries graduated from CATIE, representing 31.2% of the historical total of graduates. However, over the past 15 years, female participation has increased significantly, in some cases matching or even surpassing the number of male graduates.\u00a0<br><\/p><div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"477\" src=\"https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Posgrado.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40709\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Posgrado.jpg 850w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Posgrado-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Posgrado-768x431.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Posgrado-18x10.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Posgrado-600x337.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"850\" src=\"https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Carrusel-8M-Liseth.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40710\" style=\"width:526px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Carrusel-8M-Liseth.jpg 850w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Carrusel-8M-Liseth-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Carrusel-8M-Liseth-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Carrusel-8M-Liseth-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Carrusel-8M-Liseth-12x12.jpg 12w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Carrusel-8M-Liseth-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Carrusel-8M-Liseth-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Carrusel-8M-Liseth-250x250.jpg 250w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><p><br><br>An example of this impact is Liseth Oliveth Hern\u00e1ndez, a CATIE graduate in Ecological Agriculture, who served as Trinational Executive Secretary of the Trifinio Plan (2022\u20132025), where she promoted regional initiatives for environmental management and territorial development.\u00a0<\/p><p>\u201cThe transformation of agri-food systems and water management in our region will not be sustainable without female leadership at the table where decisions are made,\u201d Hern\u00e1ndez affirms.&nbsp;<\/p><p>CATIE\u2019s commitment to equity is also reflected in projects that promote women\u2019s participation in rural development processes, climate resilience, and entrepreneurship.&nbsp;<\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"567\" src=\"https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Pares-3-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40708\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Pares-3-1.jpg 850w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Pares-3-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Pares-3-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Pares-3-1-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Pares-3-1-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><p><br><br><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Peace, Action, Resilience and Sustainability in the Landscapes of Latin America (PARES)<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0<br>\u00a0\u00a0<\/li><\/ul><p>In Guatemala, the PARES Project has strengthened community water governance processes with a gender perspective in rural communities of San Marcos. Through training in Nature-based Solutions and organizational support, women have taken on leadership roles in water boards, promoting more sustainable management of the resource in the face of scarcity and climate variability. One example is Victoria Ram\u00edrez Garc\u00eda, president of her community\u2019s water board, who, together with other women leaders, promotes more equitable and responsible water governance, encouraging more women to participate in decision-making processes that ensure the well-being of their families and communities.\u00a0<br>\u00a0<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"531\" height=\"709\" src=\"https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Activa-4.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40707\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Activa-4.jpg 531w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Activa-4-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Activa-4-9x12.jpg 9w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 531px) 100vw, 531px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><p><\/p><p><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>ACTIVA-CATIE: rural entrepreneurship with an inclusion approach<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0<\/li><\/ul><p>ACTIVA is an incubation laboratory that supports entrepreneurship and innovation for rural development, incorporating inclusion as a core value and prioritizing access to financing opportunities for women, youth, and people from Indigenous communities. Between 2021 and December 2025, more than 320 Costa Rican ventures have been incubated: 51% are led by women with signed contracts, and the percentage exceeds 70% when also considering women co-owners. In regional business training programs, women\u2019s participation has averaged 56% of the total participants.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<br><\/p><div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"567\" src=\"https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/liderazgo-femenino-4.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40706\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/liderazgo-femenino-4.jpg 850w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/liderazgo-femenino-4-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/liderazgo-femenino-4-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/liderazgo-femenino-4-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/liderazgo-femenino-4-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><p><br><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Reducing gender gaps in the CSC through ESCALAR\u00a0<\/strong><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/li><\/ul><p>The ESCALAR project integrates a gender perspective in a cross-cutting manner. These actions are reflected in its Gender Strategy launched in 2023 and implemented in the field by the Gender Focal Group, composed of key representatives from partner organizations. In 2025, a learning guide, four life stories of women leaders, and two trinational policy frameworks were published to institutionalize the allocation of resources for the integration of the gender approach, as well as other affirmative actions. As a result, 49% of the beneficiary population are women, advancing toward reducing gender gaps with lasting impact in the territory.\u00a0<br><\/p><div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"567\" src=\"https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/liderazgo-femenino-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40705\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/liderazgo-femenino-2.jpg 850w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/liderazgo-femenino-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/liderazgo-femenino-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/liderazgo-femenino-2-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/liderazgo-femenino-2-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><p><br><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Strengthening<\/strong><strong>\u00a0the capacities of women environmental defenders through Tejiendo redes<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0<\/li><\/ul><p>CATIE\u2019s commitment to equity is also reflected in initiatives that strengthen women\u2019s leadership in conservation and climate resilience. Through the project Tejiendo redes por la conservaci\u00f3n, los derechos y la justicia en los Grandes Bosques de Mesoam\u00e9rica, nearly one hundred environmental defenders were trained in 2025 in the territories of La Amistad, Indio Ma\u00edz\u2013Tortuguero, and the Trifinio region, where 55% of those who completed the training were Indigenous and community women leaders.\u00a0\u00a0<br><\/p><div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"567\" src=\"https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/liderazgo-femenino-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40704\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/liderazgo-femenino-1.jpg 850w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/liderazgo-femenino-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/liderazgo-femenino-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/liderazgo-femenino-1-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/liderazgo-femenino-1-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><p><br><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>The National Union of Indigenous Women Ditsa+8: Indigenous women guiding development processes<\/strong>\u00a0<\/li><\/ul><p>In Costa Rica, CATIE also works alongside the National Union of Indigenous Women Ditsa+8, strengthening an agenda led by women who promote change from their territories. Through processes of coordination and intercultural dialogue, these women leaders position themselves as key actors in decision-making.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p><p>On the occasion of International Women\u2019s Day, CATIE reaffirms its commitment to continue promoting spaces where women can strengthen their leadership, contribute to knowledge generation, and actively participate in building more sustainable agri-food systems and territories.\u00a0<br><br><br><br><\/p><div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\"><p><strong>More information\/written by:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p>Karina Poveda Coto&nbsp;<br>Coordinator, Women, Rural Youth and Indigenous Communities Thematic Area&nbsp;<br>CATIE&nbsp;<br><a href=\"mailto:Karina.poveda@catie.ac.cr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Karina.poveda@catie.ac.cr<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<p>Fernanda Carrillo Chac\u00f3n\u00a0<br>Gender, equity and human rights specialist in rural areas\u00a0<br>Proyecto ESCALAR-ASDI<br><a href=\"mailto:fernanda.carrillo@catie.ac.cr\">fernanda.carrillo@catie.ac.cr<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<p>Mar\u00eda Sol\u00a0Gonz\u00e1lez Sa\u00f1udo\u00a0<br>Specialist in Human Rights, Environmental Rights, and Forest Equity\u00a0<br><a href=\"\/en\/Sol.gonzalez@catie.ac.cr\/\">Sol.gonzalez@catie.ac.cr\u00a0<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\"><p><strong>Edici\u00f3n:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p>Karla Madrigal Pereira<br>Communicator<br>Communications and Marketing Office<br>CATIE<br><a href=\"mailto:Karla.madrigal@catie.ac.cr\">Karla.madrigal@catie.ac.cr<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><p><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>En conmemoraci\u00f3n del D\u00eda Internacional de la Mujer, el CATIE (Centro Agron\u00f3mico Tropical de Investigaci\u00f3n y Ense\u00f1anza) visibiliza el papel que desempe\u00f1an las mujeres en la investigaci\u00f3n cient\u00edfica, la educaci\u00f3n de posgrado, la gesti\u00f3n institucional y el trabajo territorial que &hellip; <\/p>","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":40703,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"pmpro_default_level":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[831,829,830],"class_list":["post-40701","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","tag-genero-y-agroambiente","tag-liderazgo-femenino-rural","tag-mujeres-en-desarrollo-sostenible","pmpro-has-access"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40701","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=40701"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40701\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":40719,"href":"https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40701\/revisions\/40719"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/40703"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40701"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=40701"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=40701"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}