Mireya Gomez-Nava

Women’s participation in Climate Change Adaptation in Indigenous communities in Mexico

Indigenous Knowledge (IK) in climate change adaptation has gained increasing recognition since its inclusion in the 2015 Paris Agreement. While the literature highlights the important role of Indigenous women in environmental management, water governance and the transmission of cosmological knowledge, it also notes their limited participation in formal decision-making processes due to structural inequalities. Despite increasing academic attention, significant geographical gaps persist, particularly in Latin America. Driven by the necessity of more inclusive and representative climate strategies, this research employs a Participatory Action Research (PAR) methodology, incorporating qualitative and participatory techniques such as semi-structured interviews, photovoice, and mental mapping. The study focuses on indigenous women in Milpa Alta, Mexico City, a region characterised by a high indigenous population density, socioeconomic marginalisation and environmental pressures linked to urban expansion. Preliminary findings suggest that participants are actively adapting to climate change by developing new skills and practices, such as shifts in agricultural production and adopting rainwater harvesting systems.