Our new coral reef research and conservation project in the Guna Yala region of Panama stands out not only for its scientific approach but also for integrating and motivating the active participation of young Guna women researchers.
They have not only received scientific training in marine science but have also taken on leadership roles in a field where women have traditionally had limited access. Through this initiative, the project aims to empower Guna women in areas such as marine biology and environmental sciences, promoting greater gender equity and providing opportunities for them to actively steward marine ecosystems.
This conservation project, supported by SENACYT Panama and the active engagement of the Guna Congress’s scientific arm, IIDKY (Instituto de Investigaciones y Desarrollo de Kuna Yala), along with MiAmbiente Panama, generates crucial scientific data on coral reef health and brings an enriching perspective by fusing academic knowledge with Guna ancestral wisdom. By including communities in every phase of the research, the project promotes a sense of shared responsibility for the conservation of natural resources. Thus, this collaboration seeks to develop viable and culturally meaningful conservation solutions that will ensure the preservation of these marine ecosystems for future generations.
Interview with Susania Avila: A Guna Perspective on Marine Conservation
What sparked your interest in the environment?
Since I was a child, I have been surrounded by the natural beauty that my home offers, which has influenced my desire to protect and understand our environment. This connection to the environment is what prompted me to study Marine Biology and Limnology at the University of Panama. I wanted to better understand and protect the natural world around us, especially the sea, which is so important to us Gunas.
How has your experience been collaborating on this project?
I have had the opportunity to collaborate with MarAlliance as a researcher, where I focused on the study of fish in coral reefs. I was in charge of identifying and measuring the different fish species, as well as assessing coral relief. One of the most rewarding experiences has been giving talks to children about the importance of caring for mangroves, as I firmly believe that education is fundamental for conservation.
What is the level of access that Guna women have to training and research initiatives in your community?
Before, we were only taught a few things. However, today, we are seeing a change: women are being taught that they should go to school, that they should not stay at home, and that they should work. Now, when people come to our community, they can talk to the women and girls about caring for the sea, and they are teaching us how we should protect it. This change is very positive and encouraging.
What does the sea mean to the Guna community?
We, the Guna, take great care of the sea because it provides us with food. If we are hungry, we go to the sea to fish, and that is the sustenance we bring to our homes. I also remember that our grandparents taught us that we should take care of the sea, because for us it is like a grandmother, and that is why we have the responsibility to protect it.
How does the Guna community perceive the conservation of marine resources today?
Before, we were not taught about the importance of taking care of the sea, about not throwing garbage in it, or avoiding actions that would damage it. Nowadays, there is a greater diffusion about marine conservation, and we are taught that we should not throw garbage in it because, if we do, we could run out of fish and corals. In addition, people come to our homes to give us talks about the sea and explain how these habits damage all marine biodiversity. If we continue to pollute, we will lose not only the sustenance that the sea gives us but also our home, since we depend on it for food.