Women Leaders of Titicaca: A Firm Step in the Governance and Conservation of the Lake

For the past seven months, we, the women members of the Association—known as "Lideresas" have embarked on a decisive path towards obtaining our legal entity status. This process has been made possible thanks to the technical support of the organization Agua Sustentable (a Bolivian member of IUCN), facilitated by the IUCN Water and Wetlands Programme, through the BRIDGE Andes project, implemented by the IUCN Regional Office for South America, and funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

This objective is not merely about obtaining a document; it is the key to formal representation, accessing new funding and international cooperation opportunities, and consolidating an internal structure that will allow us to work in synergy with our sisters in Peru, honoring the binational nature of our basin.

"I believe this is an opportunity that has been presented to us. As women leaders, we had already been looking for ways to consolidate our organization, and this process has come at a very opportune moment for us." — María Millares, President (Desaguadero Municipality).

Guardians of Qutamama¹: A Story of Binational Unity

The Lake Titicaca Basin is more than just water; it is an unbreakable bond with our sisters and brothers in Peru. We, the Lideresas, are its protectors. Since the 2011-2012 period, we have organized across communities and provinces to carry out cleanups, workshops, and ceremonies for Qutamama¹, always seeking the well-being of our environment.

"We have worked with municipalities and coordinated with communities; this joint effort is allowing environmental actions to thrive." — Luisa Luna (Pucarani Municipality).

In 2025, we resumed our gatherings with renewed vigor. These were spaces for dialogue and joy where we reaffirmed our commitment as an Association. Every step towards legal entity status has been a step towards our autonomy.

"With this, we now have, so to speak, our own 'ID card,' which allows us to mobilize and work with greater backing." — Sonia Carita Layme (Ingavi Province).

A New Identity for a New Stage

We understand that strengthening our governance also means strengthening our identity. Therefore, in this formalization stage, we decided to officially rename ourselves as the Association Mujeres Unidas en Defensa de la Cuenca del Lago Titicaca - “Lideresas."

This change was accompanied by a renewal of our visual identity, which retains its original essence. The central icon, an image that originated in Bolivia with the support of Agua Sustentable, is now also embraced by our sisters in Peru as a symbol of unity. It is not a farewell to our history, but a projection towards the future as a formal, binational-focused association.

Building Our Rules: Bylaws and Regulations

Formalization required meticulous work in drafting our Bylaws and Rules of Procedure, two key governance instruments that now serve as our internal "constitution." Through a democratic process, we decided to ratify our current Board of Directors, valuing the continuity of their leadership.

For this process to have full validity, we received certification from various municipal authorities in the basin. This step was fundamental given the transboundary nature of the lake, allowing us to act and influence legitimately in all municipalities surrounding Titicaca.

Finally, we submitted the entire dossier—bylaws, founding documents, and legal requirements—to the Governorate of La Paz, thus completing a cycle of extensive learning and network consolidation that strengthens our leadership and impact.

A Commitment to the Future

Our commitment is our calling card to Bolivia and the world. We are an Association of Women fighting against climate change and other threats, and we will not rest in our mission to protect and conserve Lake Titicaca.

"All sisters who wish to be part of this project are welcome. Let's continue working for the well-being of our Lake." — Carmen Quispe (Laja Municipality).

We deeply thank the IUCN South America Water and Wetlands Programme and the BRIDGE project, COSUDE for its funding, and Agua Sustentable for its constant support, all of which have made this process possible.

¹ Qutamama (o Quta Mama) en aymara significa "Madre Agua" o "Madre Lago".