Women’s perceptions of environmental issues in Durazno, Uruguay

Summary

This document summarises a workshop held in December 2023, where 23 women from Durazno gathered to share their perceptions of local environmental challenges as part of an ARA‑funded project led by UTEC’s Group on Agroecology, Sustainability and the Environment with support from Vida Silvestre.

Through a participatory SWOT exercise, the women identified the city’s environmental strengths—such as rising ecological awareness and nearby key ecosystems—alongside weaknesses including gaps in environmental education, limited data, insufficient regulation, and the need for stronger climate‑adaptation planning.

They also highlighted pressing threats such as deforestation, land‑use change, loss of biodiversity, water contamination, and increased flooding. The session generated a set of actionable recommendations ranging from improved waste management and ecological restoration to community engagement, strengthened public policies, and better coordination among institutions and local stakeholders.