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vulnerability, and a need for protection from the males of our species rather than a
sign of expertise. However, the fact that women and their varying roles and duties
are often so intertwined with nature and the world around them that they know it
best of all. As such, they are the best equipped to support, fight for, and maintain it.
4.3 Women as Caregivers
Some realms of society choose to view women predominantly as caregivers and
many women also view themselves that way. Reyna Ortiz, defender in El Salvador
with grantee partner Movimiento de Mujeres de Santo Tomas supported the theory,
stating “I fight because I know that without water, we cannot live. I do this work for
the love of my community, for my granddaughters…so that they can live in a healthy
world” (Global Fund for Women 2019). However, at some point,
This function of care-giver becomes a value assigned by the patriarchal world. It also has
its positive aspects since it is what ensures there are women caring for the water, or engaged
in the environmental movement, or that the Ruta Pacifica exists- a movement of women for
peace and a negotiated settlement to the armed conflict in Colombia. But it has been “too
much”, as if caring were only women’s responsibility. What is missing is to share the caring, a more equitable distribution of caring
that equally represents those who benefit (Mendoza 2015).
The caregiver view lends itself to the limiting concept that women shall always
give priority to the needs of others and in turn, that women exist for others and are
only present for that purpose (Mendoza 2015). Alternatively, and as previously
mentioned, acting in a caregiver capacity can make someone an expert regarding
their ward and as such, they are in the best position to advocate for the same.
On the opposite side of the coin, there are some challenges that don’t stem from
anything other than physically being women.
5 When Stereotypes Attack Both Literally and Figuratively
Perhaps Margaret Atwood said it best when she explained “We still think that a
powerful man is a born leader and a powerful woman is an anomaly” and “Men are
afraid that women will laugh at them. Women are afraid that men will kill them.”
Some brush these statements off as flippant but there is veracity therein.
5.1 Starting Behind the Mountain
In environmental and human rights activism, women are targeted for who they are
as women and for this reason, many must overcome the mountain of gender inequality before they are able to address the actual issues of the pending conflict. What is
S. M. Lange
vulnerability, and a need for protection from the males of our species rather than a
sign of expertise. However, the fact that women and their varying roles and duties
are often so intertwined with nature and the world around them that they know it
best of all. As such, they are the best equipped to support, fight for, and maintain it.
4.3 Women as Caregivers
Some realms of society choose to view women predominantly as caregivers and
many women also view themselves that way. Reyna Ortiz, defender in El Salvador
with grantee partner Movimiento de Mujeres de Santo Tomas supported the theory,
stating “I fight because I know that without water, we cannot live. I do this work for
the love of my community, for my granddaughters…so that they can live in a healthy
world” (Global Fund for Women 2019). However, at some point,
This function of care-giver becomes a value assigned by the patriarchal world. It also has
its positive aspects since it is what ensures there are women caring for the water, or engaged
in the environmental movement, or that the Ruta Pacifica exists- a movement of women for
peace and a negotiated settlement to the armed conflict in Colombia. But it has been “too
much”, as if caring were only women’s responsibility. What is missing is to share the caring, a more equitable distribution of caring
that equally represents those who benefit (Mendoza 2015).
The caregiver view lends itself to the limiting concept that women shall always
give priority to the needs of others and in turn, that women exist for others and are
only present for that purpose (Mendoza 2015). Alternatively, and as previously
mentioned, acting in a caregiver capacity can make someone an expert regarding
their ward and as such, they are in the best position to advocate for the same.
On the opposite side of the coin, there are some challenges that don’t stem from
anything other than physically being women.
5 When Stereotypes Attack Both Literally and Figuratively
Perhaps Margaret Atwood said it best when she explained “We still think that a
powerful man is a born leader and a powerful woman is an anomaly” and “Men are
afraid that women will laugh at them. Women are afraid that men will kill them.”
Some brush these statements off as flippant but there is veracity therein.
5.1 Starting Behind the Mountain
In environmental and human rights activism, women are targeted for who they are
as women and for this reason, many must overcome the mountain of gender inequality before they are able to address the actual issues of the pending conflict. What is
S. M. Lange