A Yamurikumã Association of Xinguan Women held the 4th Meeting of Xinguan Women last week. The event took place in Capivara Village, in the Xingu Indigenous Park, from October 24 to 28, with the support of the ELAS Fund and the Avon Institute through the Speak Without Fear Fund.
Dissemination of the Image of Women on the Internet and in other Media was 
the first panel discussion, with the participation of representatives from the Yamurikumã Association, FUNAI, the Federal Senate's Special Prosecutor for Women, the Cultural Association of Indigenous Filmmakers and local women leaders. There were also debates on the eating habits of indigenous communities and Indigenous Women's Health".
the first panel discussion, with the participation of representatives from the Yamurikumã Association, FUNAI, the Federal Senate's Special Prosecutor for Women, the Cultural Association of Indigenous Filmmakers and local women leaders. There were also debates on the eating habits of indigenous communities and Indigenous Women's Health".Based on the discussions held at the meeting, the Xinguan women launched two manifestos, one addressed to the National Congress and another on the recent budget cuts at FUNAI and SESAI.
Savana Brito, program advisor, represented ELAS Fund at the meeting. "The meeting highlights the need and urgency to support indigenous women in their struggle to guarantee their rights, since they are one of the groups of women most vulnerable to situations of violence and other serious rights violations," explains Savana Brito, noting that the ELAS Fund has been supporting indigenous women since it was founded.
"In addition, these women face difficulties in their struggle and articulation because of the great distances that separate the villages and the limitations of transportation and communication," concludes Savana Brito.
The Xinguan Women's Conversation Rounds have been held annually since 2014, covering topics such as prostitution, alcoholism, the misuse of the image of naked women, infanticide, young people's lack of interest in the culture of their people, garbage in the villages, STDs and women's health, training for women, among other topics.
The main objective of the Yamurikumã Association is to politically strengthen the female leaders of the villages so that they are prepared to represent the Xingu communities at meetings inside and outside the Xingu Park. "We no longer want non-indigenous intermediaries to speak for us, raising funds and carrying out projects on our behalf. We want to talk directly to institutions, supporters and funders, without intermediaries," says Kaiulu Yawalapíti, president of the Association.
