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When Yairy Vega Muenala first stepped into spaces of decision-making in Ecuador, she noticed who was missing: Indigenous women. Despite being vital to their communities, their voices were often excluded from policies shaping their lives. That realization set her life’s mission — to ensure Indigenous women not only have a seat at the table, but the power to shape the future.
Today, as founder of Footprints of Power, Yairy is building pathways for young Indigenous women to become leaders and policymakers. Her new initiative, the Indigenous Women’s Governance Lab, goes beyond training, it creates hands-on opportunities for young women to engage directly with governance systems.
Her courage lies in challenging entrenched systems of exclusion, and in amplifying voices too often silenced. By connecting local action in rural Ecuador to a global movement for justice, she is proving that Indigenous leadership is not symbolic — it is transformative.
Becoming part of the Global Fellows in Courage has been a transformative experience in my journey as an Indigenous advocate. The Fellowship has shown me that my work is part of a collective story of courage and leadership. It has strengthened my initiatives—especially the Indigenous Women’s Governance Lab—by connecting me with mentorship, training, and a global community of peers. Most importantly, it has renewed my energy and affirmed that this work matters.
Courage is not the absence of fear, but the choice to act despite it. For me, courage is collective: it is reflected in the young women who step forward in my programs, learning to speak up and advocate for themselves and their communities. Supporting their growth strengthens my own resolve and reminds me that courage multiplies when it is shared.
I am working to address the exclusion of Indigenous women from decision-making in Ecuador. Indigenous women are doubly marginalized—by gender and by ethnicity—and policies designed without our input perpetuate inequality. This is urgent because a new generation of Indigenous women is ready to lead, but lacks formal platforms. My work ensures that their voices are not just heard, but integrated into governance.
In 5–10 years, I envision Indigenous women recognized as essential contributors to Ecuador’s governance. Footprints of Power will grow into a nationally recognized platform supporting a strong network of Indigenous women leaders, influencing policies across the country. Ultimately, my dream is that Indigenous women’s leadership will no longer be exceptional, but expected.
The structural invisibility of Indigenous women remains the biggest challenge. To overcome this, I am designing the Indigenous Women’s Governance Lab as a bridge between young women and policymakers, and I center storytelling as a tool to make systemic barriers visible and actionable. Celebrating small victories keeps us moving forward, even when change feels slow.
Yairy’s leadership embodies the heart of GFiC: courageous leaders transforming exclusion into empowerment. From the Andes to the world stage, she is proving that when Indigenous women lead, societies move closer to justice, equity, and resilience.
