Work

The importance of “Ancestral Future” in adapting to climate change for Ashaninka women in Peru

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Indigenous women’s adaptation initiatives to the disproportionate impact of climate change on their food systems and health are often marginalized, hampering efforts to develop holistic and culturally sensitive solutions. This study examines how Indigenous women understand and respond to the climate–food–health nexus during the COVID-19 pandemic. We present a case study of Ashaninka women in the Central Amazon Rainforest of Peru, drawing upon one and a half years of qualitative research using participant observation, participatory video, and longitudinal interviews. Our findings reveal numerous vulnerabilities, primarily related to agriculture dependency. However, the Ashaninka women’s response focuses on forest recovery to address the root of multiple risks originated by land dispossession. This agency establishes a clear, yet contested, adaptation pathway, termed “Ancestral Future,” toward building climate-resilient development.

Source: Ecology and Society

DOI: 10.5751/es-17397-310312

Authors: Ingrid Arotoma-Rojas, James Ford, Lea Berrang-Ford, Carol Zavaleta-Cortijo, Victoria Chicmana-Zapata, Elida De La Cruz Fernandez

Institutions: University of Leeds, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, UK Health Security Agency

Language: English

Topic: Indigenous Studies in Latin America

Subfield: Cultural Studies

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Climate action, Reduced inequalities, Gender equality, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $975