89
pushed indigenous women to mobilize their communities and lead the way to protect their
survival and way of life (Global Fund for Women 2019).
Whether they chose the path of an activist or are reactionary to the aforementioned conflicts as they arise around them, certain characteristics and skills that are
inherent in women positively affect their ability to successfully facilitate change.
3.2 The Indonesian Studies and the Skills of Communication,
Empathy and Dedication to Quality of Life
In a study of three urban areas in Indonesia suffering from environmental conflict,
research showed that some of these characteristics are “self-orientation to quality of
life, care, gentleness, empathy, and advanced aspects of parenting” (Asteria et al.
2013). These Indonesian studies, consisting of 140 questions distributed to activists
in the form of a questionnaire, were conducted in areas dealing with the scarcity of
clean water, waste, and pollution due to domestic industry and/or river pollution
(which is a source of clean water) because of a slaughterhouse (Asteria et al. 2013).
It is said that “Environmental management and maintenance require empathy in
human interaction with the environment” (Asteria et al. 2013). Accordingly, it
appears that attributes that many have considered to portray women as the “gentler
sex” can be the very attributes that empower them to act during environmental crisis.
Present throughout the same female environmental activism, whether intentional
or not is the concept of eco-feminism. Eco-feminism, focused on “examining the
connections between women and nature” (Miles 2013) ecofeminism adds both a
commitment to the environment and an awareness of the associations made between
women and nature. Specifically, this philosophy emphasizes the ways both nature
and women are treated by society.
It has been argued that, “women tend to have more concern for the environment
because of its nurturing character” (Asteria et al. 2013). As such, when women
activists seek to solve an environmental crisis, they have been shown to utilize
strong communication and mediation ‘to build mutual understanding and avoid hostility between the two sides of the conflict” (Asteria et al. 2013). In doing so, they
take proactive action which may avoid exacerbating the tensions.
The Indonesian studies found that overall, “women activists prioritize communication goals made in order to keep harmonious relationship. Communication styles
of women activists who do have a tendency to be cooperative because women have
an orientation maintaining relationships in the future and for the overall welfare of
the community” (Asteria et al. 2013). These efforts in conflict resolution are known
as “musyawarah…a process of shared decision-making that the goal is to reach a
consensus” (Asteria et al. 2013).
Following this open communication in which women tend to foster a resolutionseeking mentality for all parties, it has been found that the result is “empowering the
community” (Asteria et al. 2013). When an open communication goal is achieved,
Saving Species, Healthy Humanity: The Key Role of Women in Ecological Integrity
pushed indigenous women to mobilize their communities and lead the way to protect their
survival and way of life (Global Fund for Women 2019).
Whether they chose the path of an activist or are reactionary to the aforementioned conflicts as they arise around them, certain characteristics and skills that are
inherent in women positively affect their ability to successfully facilitate change.
3.2 The Indonesian Studies and the Skills of Communication,
Empathy and Dedication to Quality of Life
In a study of three urban areas in Indonesia suffering from environmental conflict,
research showed that some of these characteristics are “self-orientation to quality of
life, care, gentleness, empathy, and advanced aspects of parenting” (Asteria et al.
2013). These Indonesian studies, consisting of 140 questions distributed to activists
in the form of a questionnaire, were conducted in areas dealing with the scarcity of
clean water, waste, and pollution due to domestic industry and/or river pollution
(which is a source of clean water) because of a slaughterhouse (Asteria et al. 2013).
It is said that “Environmental management and maintenance require empathy in
human interaction with the environment” (Asteria et al. 2013). Accordingly, it
appears that attributes that many have considered to portray women as the “gentler
sex” can be the very attributes that empower them to act during environmental crisis.
Present throughout the same female environmental activism, whether intentional
or not is the concept of eco-feminism. Eco-feminism, focused on “examining the
connections between women and nature” (Miles 2013) ecofeminism adds both a
commitment to the environment and an awareness of the associations made between
women and nature. Specifically, this philosophy emphasizes the ways both nature
and women are treated by society.
It has been argued that, “women tend to have more concern for the environment
because of its nurturing character” (Asteria et al. 2013). As such, when women
activists seek to solve an environmental crisis, they have been shown to utilize
strong communication and mediation ‘to build mutual understanding and avoid hostility between the two sides of the conflict” (Asteria et al. 2013). In doing so, they
take proactive action which may avoid exacerbating the tensions.
The Indonesian studies found that overall, “women activists prioritize communication goals made in order to keep harmonious relationship. Communication styles
of women activists who do have a tendency to be cooperative because women have
an orientation maintaining relationships in the future and for the overall welfare of
the community” (Asteria et al. 2013). These efforts in conflict resolution are known
as “musyawarah…a process of shared decision-making that the goal is to reach a
consensus” (Asteria et al. 2013).
Following this open communication in which women tend to foster a resolutionseeking mentality for all parties, it has been found that the result is “empowering the
community” (Asteria et al. 2013). When an open communication goal is achieved,
Saving Species, Healthy Humanity: The Key Role of Women in Ecological Integrity