Community water infrastructure, traditional permaculture in drought-prone Oaxaca

In Oaxaca, Mexico, indigenous women are reviving ancient techniques to combat water scarcity and preserve their ancestral foods. Agustina Ortiz, among others, returned to Oaxaca to find a life sustained solely through agriculture due to water scarcity. Facing severe droughts and water stress, the community of Xixovo partnered with Grupedsac to learn ancestral ways of irrigation and grow drought-resilient crops. Through initiatives like building ferro-cement tanks for water collection and teaching water management, women like Ortiz have improved their farming livelihoods and family health. The program also addresses gender disparity by empowering women and promoting self-sufficiency. With climate change exacerbating water scarcity in Oaxaca, these initiatives offer practical solutions for communities facing critical water shortages and agricultural threats. Through sustainable practices and community engagement, indigenous women are leading efforts to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of water scarcity in the region.