Young people—especially girls—are often left out of conversations about the challenges and social-ecological changes affecting their communities. Through the Mujeres y Agua (Women and Water) program in Lobitos, Peru, a group of girls worked with professional musicians and animators to create a stop-motion music video that shares their perspectives on the oil spill that occurred along their coastline in December 2024.

 

Told from their point of view as daughters of local fishermen, the story takes place in *Las Capullanas*, a nearby site rich in biocultural heritage. The area is named after the Capullanas, women leaders from the matriarchal Tallán pre-Incan fishing culture who once lived along the coast. Drawing inspiration from this history, the girls created a narrative featuring a mermaid who witnesses the environmental damage caused by the spill and the community’s efforts to come together in response.

 

The animation and original song reflect their personal experiences and their connection to the ocean. Through this creative process, the girls had the opportunity to express their thoughts, feelings, and hopes for the future, while also contributing to broader conversations about coastal protection and care.

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Supported by a grant from the Sociedad Peruana de Derecho Ambiental (SPDA).