Women for Conservation

Women for Conservation

Women for Conservation helps protect the unique biodiversity of rural Colombia by empowering women through family planning services, conservation education, and sustainable livelihoods training. The organization was founded in 2019 by Sara Inés Lara to involve rural communities in habitat conservation around critically endangered wildlife reserves.

Colombia is one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth but its vital rainforest ecosystems are increasingly under threat from deforestation. Women living in Colombia’s remote rural areas often lack access to reproductive health services, while also facing early marriage and childbirth, as well as high rates of gender-based violence.

Women for Conservation draws the critical links between the two issues, recognizing that thriving communities are better able to protect their natural environment, and that empowering women in particular brings deep and long-lasting benefits.

Women for Conservation works in partnership with bird conservation organization Fundación ProAves and family planning organization Profamilia to deliver workshops on natural resource management, habitat restoration, sustainable agriculture, waste reduction, renewable energy, sexual and reproductive health, and cancer screening. Women for Conservation also covers the cost of contraceptive methods and travel to family planning clinics, and helps women gain the necessary skills and tools to gain income from eco-tourism and conservation work.

© Women for Conservation

By empowering women to take charge of their fertility and sexual health and to get involved in conservation efforts, the organization helps reduce pressure on Colombia’s biodiversity hotspots while also improving the lives of local communities.

To read more about the projects and accomplishments of Women for Conservation, read this update sent to us in April 2023 from Sara Lara and her team!

Mother-daughter connection

Women for Conservation was created in memory of Amparo, Sara’s mother, a visionary who dedicated her life to the empowerment of rural women in Cauca, Colombia. She sadly died at the age of 42, when Sara was only 19 years old. Sara now runs the organization with her daughter Isabella.

“In essence, we are built on three generations of mother and daughter connection, passing knowledge, wisdom and passion. The lessons of our grandmother guides us to better understand the issues that women face. We dedicate our cause to the generations of women… past, present and yet to come.”

Photo: Isabella and Sara at the 2021 IUCN Conservation Congress in Marseille. © Women for Conservation

Virtual Events with Women for Conservation

Official Side Event at the 58th Session of the United Nations Commission on Population and Development

We participated in the 58th session of the UN Commission on Population and Development by hosting an official virtual side event with Population Media Center and Women for Conservation! We were joined by three compelling storytellers and population stabilization advocates for a 90-minute panel discussion.

Reproductive health and rights and bodily autonomy are key to advancing Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3Good Health and Well-being. During the panel, speakers showcased how their organizations’ work helps remove barriers to family planning and empowers women and girls.

Presentation Date: April 10th, 2025

World Rainforest Day - Panel Discussion with Global Partners

Based in Uganda (Conservation Through Public Health), Madagascar (Lemur Love), and Colombia (Women for Conservation), all three organizations focus on preserving their local forests through public health initiatives, education and empowerment programs for those living in communities bordering the forests, particularly women and girls. During the discussion, we learned more about how their unique programs are adapted for the conservation challenges they face.

Presentation Date: June 27th, 2024

More details here

Global Partners Series: Women for Conservation

We celebrated World Rainforest Day with our Global Partner, Women for Conservation! We were inspired as the speakers delved into the organization’s community-based programs in conservation training, sustainable livelihoods, and family planning— all aimed at empowering rural women to become guardians of nature and protect critical biodiversity for generations.

Presentation Date: June 28th, 2023

More details here

Connecting the Dots Between Women's Empowerment and Critical Biodiversity Protection

During this event we heard from Sara Inés Lara, Founder and Executive Director of Women for Conservation, who shared how the organization’s programs work to protect and preserve endangered wildlife and their habitats.

Presentation Date: August 25th, 2022

More details here

Learn more about Women for Conservation in this Q&A!

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Building a women-led movement for nature: Q&A with Women for Conservation

Through our Global Partners program, Population Connection supports a growing number of grassroots organizations around the world working to increase access to education, public health and family planning services. Their…

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