91
which defends indigenous land rights and natural resources said: “[I fight] so that
future generations will have the resources and assets they need to survive on a planet
that’s being destroyed every day” (Global Fund for Women 2019). However, there
are some roles, stereotypes and norms that both hinder and empower women during
environmental conflict.
4 Traditional, Cultural and Societal Roles as Barriers
and Empowerment
Some of our greatest assets and skills cause our greatest detriment. For example, we
have seen that:
the struggles of women climate activists are gaining more traction and visibility as attacks
and violence against them continues to grow in response to their relentless activism—but
their voices are still largely missing in global conversations about climate change, sustainability, and access to land, water, and natural resources (Global Fund for Women 2019).
The barriers of gender inequality and a lack of involvement in the global arena
pose distinct challenges when it comes to battling cultural and societal norms. The
way society views the role of women has created another hurdle to jump before
women can actually focus on the issues surrounding the environmental conflict that
affects them. Inspiring still, we are seeing an increase in participation in environmental management and the global and local political arena.
4.1 Women as Providers
In many cultures, women play key roles in defending the environment. They face
increased stress and insurmountable workloads when displacement or separation
from resources occur (Nafi et al. 2018). This is because it is often their job to conserve biodiversity, and provide sustenance to their communities by collecting and
harvesting food and medicines (Nafi et al. 2018). With this great responsibility
comes also the burden of ensuring success as their connection to the environment
and their duties are a matter of life and death.
4.2 Women Are Nature
In other cultures, women are seen as the leaders of the communities, the mother, the
grandmother, the nurturer tied to nature, and as such, the one who must protect it
as her own. This lends itself to community support but also to very challenging
expectations. Women can be considered a part of nature, as nature itself, often “Mother
Nature” is considered a woman. This sometimes results in stereotypes of weakness,
Saving Species, Healthy Humanity: The Key Role of Women in Ecological Integrity
which defends indigenous land rights and natural resources said: “[I fight] so that
future generations will have the resources and assets they need to survive on a planet
that’s being destroyed every day” (Global Fund for Women 2019). However, there
are some roles, stereotypes and norms that both hinder and empower women during
environmental conflict.
4 Traditional, Cultural and Societal Roles as Barriers
and Empowerment
Some of our greatest assets and skills cause our greatest detriment. For example, we
have seen that:
the struggles of women climate activists are gaining more traction and visibility as attacks
and violence against them continues to grow in response to their relentless activism—but
their voices are still largely missing in global conversations about climate change, sustainability, and access to land, water, and natural resources (Global Fund for Women 2019).
The barriers of gender inequality and a lack of involvement in the global arena
pose distinct challenges when it comes to battling cultural and societal norms. The
way society views the role of women has created another hurdle to jump before
women can actually focus on the issues surrounding the environmental conflict that
affects them. Inspiring still, we are seeing an increase in participation in environmental management and the global and local political arena.
4.1 Women as Providers
In many cultures, women play key roles in defending the environment. They face
increased stress and insurmountable workloads when displacement or separation
from resources occur (Nafi et al. 2018). This is because it is often their job to conserve biodiversity, and provide sustenance to their communities by collecting and
harvesting food and medicines (Nafi et al. 2018). With this great responsibility
comes also the burden of ensuring success as their connection to the environment
and their duties are a matter of life and death.
4.2 Women Are Nature
In other cultures, women are seen as the leaders of the communities, the mother, the
grandmother, the nurturer tied to nature, and as such, the one who must protect it
as her own. This lends itself to community support but also to very challenging
expectations. Women can be considered a part of nature, as nature itself, often “Mother
Nature” is considered a woman. This sometimes results in stereotypes of weakness,
Saving Species, Healthy Humanity: The Key Role of Women in Ecological Integrity