Slide 11 Costa Rica

Challenges persist for Indigenous communities in Costa Rica, who make up 1.7% of the population. They face difficulties accessing social services, education, and healthcare due to living in remote mountain areas. Land pollution from nearby banana plantations also affects them. Indigenous peoples struggle to preserve their traditional practices, leading to malnutrition and food insecurity. Life expectancy for Indigenous populations is lower than the national average. The government is working with Indigenous leaders to address these issues. Initiatives focus on improving agriculture, healthcare, and honoring traditional knowledge. Proposed initiatives include enhancing native crops, marketing Indigenous produce, and promoting sanitation education. Empowering women through education is seen as crucial. Collaboration between the government and Indigenous communities is necessary for sustainable implementation. Costa Rica aims to uplift its Indigenous populations while preserving tradition However, challenges persist, particularly concerning Indigenous communities. Comprising 1.7 of the population, the Indigenous peoples of Costa Rica have been forced to inhabit remote and inaccessible mountain areas with limited social services, education, and healthcare access, compounded by land pollution from nearby banana plantations. Indigenous peoples face obstacles in preserving traditional practices, including reliance on native herbs and monoculture farming, resulting in malnutrition and food insecurity exasperated by the lack of potable water. Life expectancy for Indigenous populations falls significantly below the national average, promoting government collaboration with Indigenous leaders to address these issues. Initiatives focus on improving agricultural practices, healthcare access, and honoring traditional knowledge. Proposed initiatives include enhancing native crop varieties, marketing Indigenous produce, and promoting sanitation education. Given women's predominant role as farmers and food providers, empowering them through education is deemed crucial. Sustainable implementation of such programs necessitates robust collaboration between governments and Indigenous communities, recognizing their unique cultural and socioeconomic context. Through concerted efforts, Costa Rica aims to uplift its Indigenous populations, fostering sustainable development while preserving cherished traditions and customs.