MAB debate the participation of women in the Ribeira Valley

July marked an important stage for the organization of the Movement of People Affected by Dam (MAB) in the state of São Paulo with the completion of the training ol all coordinators of the region of Vale do Rio Ribeira de Iguape.

Women’s participation in this process was significant. “They are increasingly engaged in the struggle, many for the first time assuming the responsibility of coordinating groups,” said Louise Löbler, coordination of movement.

During the training, the participants discussed how important it is for women to participate in the organization and how to assume the coordination of groups. They raised issues that typically hinder women’s participation, for example, the obligation to care for their children. Therefore, it was suggested that training spaces should always have a child garden.

MAB in Sao Paulo will continue with training the coordinators. Also will start a more specific training for women and youth. The process is a preparation of the state participation in the National Meeting of the MAB, which will happen in March 2013 year in Brasilia.