This article examines the impacts of biodiversity loss and environmental crime on women from rural and indigenous communities in Ecuador, Mexico, Cameroon, and Indonesia. It highlights how illegal extractive activities disrupt traditional gender roles and threaten women’s safety while underscoring the gradual increase in women’s participation in environmental resistance movements. This policy brief generated insights into context-specific resilience strategies employed by women to safeguard their livelihoods amid overwhelming challenges posed by environmental degradation.
The discourse surrounding what qualifies as an environmental crime has evolved significantly, with human-induced environmental degradation and biodiversity loss remaining at the forefront of this discussion. Indigenous and local communities residing in biodiverse regions, particularly those encompassing forests, mountains, and marine ecosystems, are often the first to feel the adverse effects of such environmental changes. Illegal extractive activities, such as mining and logging, introduce an influx of predominantly male workers from external areas, which transforms these traditionally female-oriented environments into largely masculinized spaces. This alteration disrupts the daily lives of women who are required to engage in activities within forests, impacting their safety and security. The ramifications are not uniform, as they vary across different communities, heavily influenced by gender roles and patriarchal structures, and at times, they result in instances of physical violence. This exploratory policy brief, part of the Resilience Fund’s mission, examines the challenges faced by women as they adapt to and respond to the consequences of environmental degradation caused by illegal exploitation of forest resources in rural and indigenous settings. The brief specifically highlights how women’s connections to their natural environment have become increasingly strained due to the rising presence of illegal extractive industries in their territories. Case studies from four distinct forest ecosystems are presented: the Arajuno forests of the Ecuadorian Amazon, the Sierra Tarahumara forests in Mexico, the Yabassi forests in Cameroon, and the rainforests of North Sumatra in Indonesia. The research indicates that while local indigenous communities strive to protect their territories against legal infractions and perceived environmental crimes, entrenched gender norms and patriarchal ideologies frequently hinder women’s voices from being heard and reduce their participation in resistance efforts. Nonetheless, there has been a gradual increase in women’s involvement within these movements, particularly in opposition to extensive state concessions, with many women emerging as pivotal environmental defenders in their communities. Women are motivated to express their viewpoints and challenge prevailing narratives against indigenous populations through acts of solidarity, as their determination is deeply rooted in the need to safeguard their livelihoods. Their resilience strategies, although similar in essence, vary in context and specificity across the communities explored in this study.
The issue of environmental crime and its impact on biodiversity loss holds critical implications for indigenous and rural women, particularly those residing in biodiverse regions threatened by illegal extractive practices. Such crimes have far-reaching effects, particularly in areas with strong socio-cultural and economic ties to natural resources. Understanding the gender dynamics at play is essential for addressing the unique challenges faced by women in these communities, as they navigate both societal expectations and environmental degradation brought about by external economic interests. The harm caused by environmental crime is often exacerbated by existing patriarchal structures, which can restrict women’s roles in decision-making processes and diminish their opportunities to assert their rights in defending their territories from illegal exploitation. By analyzing case studies from diverse ecosystems, this article seeks to underscore the significance of women’s contributions to environmental defense and to highlight the intricate ways in which they respond to and resist the pressures of ecological destruction.
In summary, the loss of biodiversity and the prevalence of environmental crime have direct and profound implications for women in rural and indigenous communities. This exploratory analysis underscores how, despite facing systemic barriers and patriarchal norms, women increasingly participate in environmental resistance movements, driven by a deep commitment to protect their livelihoods and natural resources. Furthermore, the case studies examined highlight the varying yet context-specific strategies employed by women across different ecosystems. Ultimately, recognizing the critical role of women in environmental advocacy is essential for fostering sustainable community practices and ensuring ecological preservation.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
