They form the first regional network of sustainable women and launch the Environmental and Climate Action Guide
March 24th, 2025The guide compiles the testimonies and experiences of environmental actions from 15 women who are part of the Micelio Network.
As part of the Climate Month activities, and also in commemoration of International Women’s Day, the Regional Secretary of the Ministry of Women and Gender Equality, Yoal Díaz, officially launched the Micelio Network and, along with them, launched the Environmental and Climate Action Guide.
Historically, for #8M, the Regional Secretary of the Ministry of the Environment has recognized Sustainable Women, highlighting year after year the work of various women who, from different parts of Patagonia, carry out and lead environmental actions. During 2024, the Regional Secretary of the Environment began a strong effort to connect these women recognized for their environmental and climate work and commitment in the Aysén region, thus forming the first regional network of Sustainable Women, called “Red Micelio.”
“Today we officially launch the Red Micelio, a network that brings together the recognition given to various sustainable women. To achieve this, we took a concrete step forward, ensuring that this guide, through their testimonies, inspires more women so that climate action, territorial action, and environmental action are part of a project that advances sustainably and radiates throughout the Aysén region,” stated the Regional Secretary of the Environment.
The Red Micelio is a supportive space of sisterhood, respect, dialogue, and participation, which seeks to strengthen the knowledge and expertise contributed by each member, promoting local action to address environmental and climate challenges in the region. Thus, the Micelio Network is made up of women from across the region, and the Guide captures the experiences of 15 of them in Coyhaique, Raúl Marín Balmaceda, Puerto Guadal, Puerto Aysén, Villa O’Higgins, and Valle Mirta. They promote environmental actions as diverse as research, environmental education, activism, outreach, the circular economy, entrepreneurship, and sustainable tourism, among others.
During the ceremony, which included in-person and online participation, the guide was unveiled and a group project was held, where participants mapped climate and environmental action to reflect on the challenges facing the Aysén region.
“I think it’s important to try to inspire, through small actions that each of us can take, to encourage other women, and not just women, who have an idea and want to pursue it, something that means caring for the environment. Nowadays, I mean, it’s always the case that we’re certainly bored of hearing about sustainability and everything else, but it’s extremely important that we take action,” said local businesswoman and member of the Micelio Network, Inés Chabalgoiti. For her part, Alejandra Lafont, a civil servant, researcher, and photographer, also part of the network, emphasized, “It’s an important moment because it means we’ve matured over time, and it’s not just about women expressing our opinions more forcefully. We already see ourselves more represented in different spheres, but we’re also developing an environmental awareness that is very necessary for the times we are living in and those to come, in which our care must become increasingly greater due to the global change that is occurring.”
The Guide is a product of the Micelio Network, which recognizes the work and actions of the network as important role models, motivational drivers, and lights for a better-prepared and more responsible Aysén region in the face of the climate, environmental, and biodiversity crises.
This guide has been managed by members of the Micelio Aysén Network and funded by the Regional Ministry of the Environment of Aysén. 50 copies have been printed for free distribution. It is also available in digital format at https://bit.ly/RedMicelio.
Source: Ministerio de Medio Ambiente