“The liberation of the earth, the liberation of women, the liberation of all humanity is the next step of freedom we need to work for, and it’s the next step of peace that we need to create.”
Vandana Shiva
Keeping the above in our thoughts, I invite my fellow readers and budding environmentalists to put on their Gendered caps today. The gender and environment nexus has recently gained increasing traction within the environmental and natural resource management dialogue. However, this recent acknowledgement does not negate the historic contribution women have always played in managing and understanding the natural environment. Today, we explore this interwoven, historical, and contemporary relationship women share with their natural habitat. In doing so, we will salute Indigenous and Rural women, take a look at CARICOM’s reality, the mainstreaming of women into sustainability, and the impacts of a changing environment.
To begin – Join me as we look through an Indigenous & Rural lens
A Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) report [1] notes that historically, Indigenous women have always occupied roles as stewards of the land, contributing to sustainable environments within their communities. It draws light onto the connection between land, body, and culture, as being of paramount importance to them, going further to describe that their relationship with the land provides a link to their ancestors and the further generations. Also, it describes Indigenous women as often acting as human libraries or teachers of community-based ecological knowledge stored in their minds, and these epistemologies are shared frequently by spoken interaction. They also spearhead actions that seek to protect the environment and its land resources when threatened.
Of course, these responsibilities can manifest differently depending on the Indigenous community. For example, Anishinaabe women in Canada have the obligation of water collection [1]. In contrast, the Bhumia tribal community women in Odisha, India, are often leaders in sustainable forestry [2], as seen below carrying baskets of tree bark and dried cow dung for manure on their heads.
In a Guidelines for Practitioners on Integrating Indigenous and Gender Aspects in Natural Resource Management [3], a case study on Nepal and Bhutan`s Indigenous women recognizes the crucial role they occupy in the decision-making process - regarding what to plant and which seeds should be utilized. Calling focus to seed-related activities, where women superseded men in the following areas: the capacity to select appropriate seeds for the next season (with their decisions based on taste, resistance to disease and insect pest, colour, adaption to agro-climatic, and soil conditions); the artistry to preserve them using a variety of traditional methods; and the ability to consider the multiple uses of a plant, giving them the prowess to provide the much-needed balance to the existing emphasis placed on high yields and uniformity.
Parallel realities of the Indigenous women are mirrored in Caribbean territories where Indigenous populations are still significant. Here, attention is placed on the Amerindian communities of Guyana. A final report by Dr Paulette Bynoe on the Main Gender Issues Related to Guyana`s Biodiversity and Conservation [4] notes that Amerindian women are engaged in producing non-timber forest products and are involved in home-based subsistence farming and meal preparation, as shown below.
It further notes that the irregular movement of males in search of employment - bestows the responsibility of biodiversity conservation and management of resources available to them onto the women and children.
The hinterland communities rely heavily on surrounding natural resources for their livelihoods, which can be seasonal, hence the importance of biodiversity management.
Dr Bynoe`s report speaks on the inherent differences in perspectives amongst men and women regarding biodiversity uses/values. It describes men as frequently being more exploitive. For example, when exploiting the land for gold and hunting animals, they often neglect to focus on the ecosystem services/goods provided by these critical ecosystems and native fauna. In comparison, women are involved in gathering and processing these forest-based products and are more likely to know the natural resource`s intricacies. Women are more caring, providing an invaluable asset to natural resource management, which is vital in equitably managing, respecting, and sustaining beloved ‘Mother Earth’. Also, consideration of Indigenous women and their knowledge blends well with The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). It recognizes and lays a framework for respecting Indigenous knowledge in its salient articles [5].
What is CARICOM`s Reality?
The Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI) emphasizes the cross-cutting nature of gender as an issue within the environmental sector, where it is now commonplace for policies, programmes, and plans to shed light on gender at least. Conversely, it is less common for gender issues to be thoroughly deconstructed, with directions also being very foggy. So, it begs the question, are we simply placing Gendered language into working documents for the very purpose of checking off boxes? Or has the Caribbean Community effectively integrated women into the overarching process? As we unpack and try to discern this diverse topic, we can ask so many questions. In sparking your thoughts, here are some areas as questioned by the (CANARI`s) Executive Director [6].
1) How do women depend on natural resources for their livelihoods?
2) How are female entrepreneurs vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters?
3) What is the support given to women entrepreneurs?
4) How are women being impacted by degraded ecosystems at elevated risk due to climate change? AND
5) How are women engaging in natural resource management?
Mainstreaming women into sustainability frameworks; Benefits?
Consideration of women in environmental decision-making lends itself to the Sustainable Development (2030) agenda and salient SDGs, allowing countries to achieve good ecological governance as all voices must be heard. Highlighting Principle 2; Leave no one behind – which is one of the central thematic areas for the UN (2030) vision and, in particular, SDG 5, which states; Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls [7].
Locally, the National Environmental Policy of Trinidad and Tobago (2018) [8] has attempted to enshrine gender into its framework. It recognizes the inextricable linkage between environmental sustainability and Gender equality, acknowledging the socially constructed roles and pre-existing inequalities in society that tend to affect women more than men disproportionately. It pays particular attention to rural women and echoes the excessive nature of their dependency on ecosystem services. Yet, they are insufficiently involved in ongoing environmental decision-making, management, and land ownership. Highlighting the work to be done and ties back to the questions above; How are women engaging? Are they being empowered to do so? And how can we provide avenues towards empowerment?
A changing environment; Impacts on women!
It comes as no surprise that women have historically engaged in activities that are climate and natural resource-sensitive. Activities ranging from water collection in water insecure regions of the world and rural communities; for potable water, sanitation, and other household activities. Also, the preparation of meals for their families are hinged on agricultural activity. For instance, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO/UN) tells us that women actively produce 80% of the food in Africa, with 60% in Asia and 40% in Latin America, respectively [9]. Therefore, the mismanagement of the environment and attendant impacts encroach heavily on women. A 2018 study on Women’s Use of Indigenous Knowledge for Environmental Security and Sustainable Development in Southwest Nigeria [10] underscores the proportionate relationship between increased biodiversity loss and the heightened burden on women as they fulfil their duties.
Connecting the dots – for women in Rural and Indigenous communities, water scarcity, climate change, pollution, and deforestation, can make water collection and fuel-gathering more taxing. For example, in the Turkana County of Kenya and many pastoral communities, women bear the brunt of droughts, as reported by UN Women [11]. Especially in 2017, when the (FAO/UN) [12] highlighted the Kenyan government`s decision to declare the drought a national disaster as relief assistance amounted to 2.7 million people!
The above and below images depict Kenyan women fulfilling their water-related duty.
In these communities, the reality women face is undoubtedly bleak, walking miles for water at multiple intervals a day, both for human and animal use. Could you imagine having to face these realities in your home country/region? Additionally, the United Nations [13] notes that women and girls have specific hygiene requirements, particularly during menstruation, pregnancy and child-rearing. This further highlights the relationship women in these communities and around the globe share with water and characterises the water crisis as personal.
Furthermore, the Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network, International (WECAN) [14] adds a biological dimension to the dialogue. It notes that the female anatomy is more susceptible to the insidious impacts of toxic pollution, as increasing evidence shows women passing along severe environmental health issues to the next generation. Additionally, from a social dimension, colonialism, racism, and structural inequalities increase the tumultuous burden from climate change on Indigenous women, women of colour, women from lower-income communities, and women from the Global South tremendously. Therefore, these circumstances must be given recognition when discerning the impacts of a changing environment on females.
In bringing things together, I reference Dr Bynoe`s report a second time, as it succinctly stated that women depend more on biodiversity for a livelihood. They are therefore accountable for the utilization of varying biological resources, as seen in the cases above. Hence, they can play a crucial role in monitoring and reporting threats to biodiversity as we endeavour to respond to these environmental upheavals. Accordingly, I believe this to be a Gendered key to unlocking women empowerment and augmenting their incorporation into the environmental process.
Looking Ahead; A Future that considers women equally!
To achieve a sustainable and resilient future, environmental practitioners must enshrine and give the female perspective greater and equal weight into the environmental decision-making process, concurrently considering the structural inequalities confronted. We must aspire to listen to the women and girls of today’s society, as they have long been environmental stewards due to their historical engagement and understanding of the environment and the most vulnerable in these unprecedented times. Today, I would like my readers to take this Gendered message home;
“A Resilient and Sustainable future is synonymous with enshrining the female perspective into the overall environmental decision-making process.”
Akil Crichlow
References, Recommended Publications, Reports & Websites
Native Women`s Association of Canada (NWAC). 2018. Indigenous Women and Girls, Traditional Knowledge and Environmental Biodiversity Protection. The Native Women’s Association of Canada’s (NWAC) contribution to Canada’s 6th National Report to the Convention on Biodiversity. Accessed:https://chm.cbd.int/api/v2013/documents/7987131F-C55F-9831-37F2-A4E906A8A156/attachments/NWAC%20Report.pdf.
Yakupitiyage,Tharanga. 2017. Indigenous Women: The Frontline Protectors of the Environment. Accessed: http://www.ipsnews.net/2017/04/indigenous-women-the-frontline-protectors-of-the-environment/.
Integrating Indigenous and Gender Aspects in Natural Resource Management – Guidelines for Practitioners. 2005. Accessed: https://www.iwgia.org/images/publications/0579_Guidelines_for_Practitioners.pdf.
Bynoe, Paulette. 2012. Final Report on Main Gender Issues Related to Biodiversity Conservation in Guyana. Accessed: http://americalatinagenera.org/newsite/images/Gender_and_Biodversity_Conservation_and_Use_Report_GUYANA.pdf.
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Accessed: https://www.un.org/development/desa/indigenouspeoples/declaration-on-the-rights-of-indigenous-peoples.html.
Leotaud, Nicole.2019. “Understanding Women and Environment in the Caribbean”. Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI). Accessed: https://canari.org/news/understanding-women-and-environment-in-the-caribbean/.
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Accessed: https://www.un.org/development/desa/indigenouspeoples/declaration-on-the-rights-of-indigenous-peoples.html.
National Environmental Policy of Trinidad and Tobago.2018. Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Ministry of Planning and Development. Accessed: https://www.planning.gov.tt/content/tts-national-environmental-policy-revised-2018.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO/UN).2005. Accessed: http://wedo.org/wp-content/uploads/2005/10/a-y5956e.pdf.
Aluko,Yetunde Adebunmi. 2018. “Women’s Use of Indigenous Knowledge for Environmental Security and Sustainable Development in Southwest Nigeria.” International Indigenous Policy Journal 9 (3). https://doi.org/10.18584/iipj.2018.9.3.2.
UN Women. 2017. “In pastoral communities of Kenya, women bear the brunt of drought”.Accessed: https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2017/6/feature-in-kenya-women-bear-brunt-of-drought.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO/UN). “Drought in Kenya declared a national disaster” Accessed: http://www.fao.org/kenya/news/detail-events/en/c/470567/.
UN-Water. 2021."Water and Gender". Accessed: https://www.unwater.org/water-facts/gender/.
WECAN International. 2021. “Why Women”. Accessed: https://www.wecaninternational.org/why-women.
Photo Credits & Sources
Photo 2: Manipadma Jena/IPS http://www.ipsnews.net/2017/04/indigenous-women-the-frontline-protectors-of-the-environment/.
Photo 3: Griffiths and Anselmo 2010
Accessed:https://www.forestpeoples.org/sites/fpp/files/publication/2010/08/guyanaiplivelihoodsjun10eng.pdf.
Photos 4 & 5: UNWomen/KennedyOkoth