"Women are the first environment. We are the Earth. We are the water. We are the seeds," says Vandana Shiva. Across generations, women have been the silent yet steadfast guardians of water, protectors of life, and keepers of ecological balance. This movement is not new—it has been here for thousands of years, carried in the songs of First Nations women, in the hands of mothers tending the land, and in the resistance of Indigenous water protectors.
But now, the urgency has never been greater.
The Crisis Facing Our Waters
Water is the foundation of life, yet across the world, it is under assault. Climate change, pollution, and large-scale extraction are stripping our rivers and oceans of their vitality. Australia’s Murray-Darling Basin is drying up. The Amazon’s waterways are poisoned by illegal mining. Groundwater reserves are being drained at unsustainable rates.
For many Indigenous cultures, water is not just a resource—it is a living, sacred entity. The Barkindji people, whose name means "people of the river," have a deep spiritual and cultural connection to the Baaka (Darling River). They emphasise, that the health of the river is directly tied to the well-being of community. This understanding is not just cultural but ecological, spiritual, and political. When water is threatened, entire ways of life are at risk.
Women have always been on the frontlines of protecting these sacred waters, from the Standing Rock resistance in North America to the decades-long fight for Australia’s rivers. As Vandana Shiva states, “The fight for water is the fight for life.”
Sacred Waters: A Movement Rooted in Action
Recognising the deep connection between women, water, and ecological justice, activist and musician Suzanne Sterling has been leading Sacred Waters Immersions, bringing women together in direct communion with nature. These gatherings—rooted in ancient wisdom, ritual, and action—are not just spaces of reflection but catalysts for change.
"Water is life. We are liquid intelligence," says Sterling. "These immersions are about more than healing—they are about mobilising women as protectors and stewards of the Earth’s waters."
This movement is also part of YOKE Magazine’s Immersions Unyoked, an initiative focused on reconnecting people with nature, creativity, and regenerative leadership.
Women as the Solution
History has shown that when women lead, ecosystems are restored. In Kenya, the Green Belt Movement, led by the late Wangari Maathai, planted millions of trees and revived critical watersheds. In India, women have fought for the preservation of traditional water harvesting systems, ensuring their communities' survival. In Australia, First Nations women continue to uphold their role as custodians of Country, protecting sacred waterways from destruction.
And now, as global water crises escalate, we must look to the wisdom of those who have always known how to care for the Earth.
The Time to Act is Now
"At a time when we are facing unprecedented environmental challenges, it is essential that women rise as leaders and protectors of our natural resources," says Sterling.
Vandana Shiva reminds us, “Nature shrinks as capital grows. The growth of the market cannot solve the very crisis it creates.” Instead, real change comes from the grassroots—from women, from communities, from those willing to stand in defence of life itself.
In Costa Rica, women will gather—not just to heal themselves, but to heal the world. If keen to join us in Costa Rica this May 2025—Few spots left. Registrations close 1 April. Reserve your place here.