95
Throughout history, women have overcome societal limitations to make meaningful change. Ana Sandoval, and defender and co-founder of grantee partner
Communities in Peaceful Resistance “La Puya”, working to resist dangerous mining megaprojects in her community in Guatemala, said “In the end, all the struggles
have the same objective: the defense of life. That is the most important, no matter
where we are or what the specific goal of each fight is” (Global Fund for
Women 2019).
Whether actively pursuing solutions to a relevant environmental conflict, fighting
for gender equality, or another goal all together, women are uniquely qualified to
defend life. Women are natural born advocates, whether it be through their personal
or professional roles, they find a way. Betty Vasquez, a land defender working with
grantee partner Centro de Derechos de Mujeres in Honduras, clearly explained:
It is not an option but rather an obligation to speak out, all of us together, to demand
changes. I do not imagine my life without my activism. It is my conviction to do it and
makes me want to live (Global Fund for Women 2019).
As equality continues to expand to all facets of life and men and women stand
together on the front lines to champion causes, the focus can shift from which roles
each party must take on to how we can collectively, as a global society effectuate
needed change. Ultimately, it remains the obligation of state and local governments
to see this through. The specific successes and failures of governments in working
on this obligation is discussed in another article but one clear example of this is
present in Zimbabwe’s Lower Zambeze Valley where Africa’s first all women antipoaching unit is making history:
“There’s a saying in Africa, ‘If you educate a man, you educate an individual, but if you
educate a woman, you educate a nation’,” Mander says. “We’re seeing increasing evidence
that empowering women is one of the greatest forces of change in the world today”
(Nuwer 2018).
In the end, state and local governments must recognize the importance of community involvement and input in major projects, foster an atmosphere of openness
and accountability, and encourage participation from all citizens. After all, they are
the main guarantor of security and as such, are responsible for protecting the rights
of all people. Until such a time as gender equality is no longer hindered by outdated
societal perception, glass ceilings, and failures of protection mechanisms, women
will continue to fight both battles.
References
Ashoka (2013) 9 great quotes by women environmentalists. Forbes. Available via https://www.
forbes.com/sites/ashoka/2013/04/30/9-great-quotes-by-women-environmentalists/#123f19ad
10b6. Accessed 31 Oct 2019
Asteria D, Suyanti E, Utari D, Wisnu D (2013) Model of environmental communication with
gender perspective in resolving environmental conflict in urban area (Study on the Role of
Saving Species, Healthy Humanity: The Key Role of Women in Ecological Integrity
Throughout history, women have overcome societal limitations to make meaningful change. Ana Sandoval, and defender and co-founder of grantee partner
Communities in Peaceful Resistance “La Puya”, working to resist dangerous mining megaprojects in her community in Guatemala, said “In the end, all the struggles
have the same objective: the defense of life. That is the most important, no matter
where we are or what the specific goal of each fight is” (Global Fund for
Women 2019).
Whether actively pursuing solutions to a relevant environmental conflict, fighting
for gender equality, or another goal all together, women are uniquely qualified to
defend life. Women are natural born advocates, whether it be through their personal
or professional roles, they find a way. Betty Vasquez, a land defender working with
grantee partner Centro de Derechos de Mujeres in Honduras, clearly explained:
It is not an option but rather an obligation to speak out, all of us together, to demand
changes. I do not imagine my life without my activism. It is my conviction to do it and
makes me want to live (Global Fund for Women 2019).
As equality continues to expand to all facets of life and men and women stand
together on the front lines to champion causes, the focus can shift from which roles
each party must take on to how we can collectively, as a global society effectuate
needed change. Ultimately, it remains the obligation of state and local governments
to see this through. The specific successes and failures of governments in working
on this obligation is discussed in another article but one clear example of this is
present in Zimbabwe’s Lower Zambeze Valley where Africa’s first all women antipoaching unit is making history:
“There’s a saying in Africa, ‘If you educate a man, you educate an individual, but if you
educate a woman, you educate a nation’,” Mander says. “We’re seeing increasing evidence
that empowering women is one of the greatest forces of change in the world today”
(Nuwer 2018).
In the end, state and local governments must recognize the importance of community involvement and input in major projects, foster an atmosphere of openness
and accountability, and encourage participation from all citizens. After all, they are
the main guarantor of security and as such, are responsible for protecting the rights
of all people. Until such a time as gender equality is no longer hindered by outdated
societal perception, glass ceilings, and failures of protection mechanisms, women
will continue to fight both battles.
References
Ashoka (2013) 9 great quotes by women environmentalists. Forbes. Available via https://www.
forbes.com/sites/ashoka/2013/04/30/9-great-quotes-by-women-environmentalists/#123f19ad
10b6. Accessed 31 Oct 2019
Asteria D, Suyanti E, Utari D, Wisnu D (2013) Model of environmental communication with
gender perspective in resolving environmental conflict in urban area (Study on the Role of
Saving Species, Healthy Humanity: The Key Role of Women in Ecological Integrity