CONAQ

The National Collective of Quilombola Women of the National Coordination for the Coordination of Rural Black Quilombola Communities (CONAQ) was created in 2011 to strengthen the organization, leadership, political education, and participation of Quilombola women. Its work includes the defense of territory, the fight against racism and violence against women, climate justice, health, education, income generation, and the protection and self-care of quilombola women defenders.

Its creation and organization are based on women’s participation in the sustainability of territories, the preservation of seeds, knowledge, histories, and cultural practices, as well as collective forms of care. In the face of territorial conflicts, racism, sexism, economic inequality, and the various forms of violence they face, the collective has transformed individual experiences into a collective political agenda.

The Collective organizes national meetings, workshops, political education programs, territorial coordination, and participation in mobilizations of the Quilombola movement. In particular, they spearheaded the National Gathering of Quilombola Women in 2014, 2022, and 2026—a space where they reaffirmed their agendas for climate justice, reparations, democracy, territorial rights, and the protection of quilombola women human rights defenders.

The Collective has also strengthened its participation in national and international forums on climate, environmental racism, and human rights. In light of the climate crisis’s impacts on their territories, it advocates for Quilombola communities to be recognized as political actors in shaping responses. In 2026, it presented the publication Quilombola Voices: Women in Defense of the Climate, drawn from the experiences, knowledge, and proposals of women from the various territories that are part of CONAQ.

In addition, the Collective promotes initiatives for protection and self-care in the face of threats, intimidation, criminalization, and other forms of violence that affect quilombola women defenders, their families, and communities. Among these is the Emergency Plan for Protection and Self-Care for Quilombola Women, “Cafuné,” presented in 2026 to federal government agencies to strengthen protection policies and networks. These initiatives promote comprehensive protection that includes physical and digital security, legal protection, psychosocial support, self-care, and political participation.