This policy brief examines the effects of biodiversity loss and environmental crime on women in rural and Indigenous communities in Ecuador, Mexico, Cameroon, and Indonesia. It highlights the challenges women face due to illegal extractive practices and the gendered impacts of environmental degradation. Despite barriers, women are increasingly recognizing their roles in resistance movements against such activities, striving to protect their livelihoods and advocating for environmental justice.
The issue of environmental crime encompasses a contentious notion, particularly in the context of biodiversity loss and human-induced ecological degradation. Local indigenous communities living adjacent to biodiverse environments—such as forests, mountainous regions, and marine ecosystems—are often the earliest to face consequences of these environmental impacts. Illegitimate extractive practices in these areas, including illicit mining and logging, not only introduce external males into the territory, effectively masculinizing these spaces, but also disrupt traditional community life and jeopardize women’s safety. As women are frequently obliged to enter forests for essential domestic tasks, they encounter increased threats and hazards. The differential effects of environmental degradation among communities are intertwined with entrenched gender roles and patriarchal structures. Consequently, this policy brief, as part of the Resilience Fund’s initiative on women’s coping mechanisms against organized crime, investigates how women are adapting and responding to the repercussions of illegal resource exploitation. In rural and indigenous environments where women have deep socio-cultural and economic ties to their natural surroundings, the encroachment of illegal extractive economies increasingly jeopardizes their livelihoods. The brief includes case studies from four distinctive forest ecosystems: the Arajuno forests in the Ecuadorian Amazon, Sierra Tarahumara forests in Mexico, Yabassi forests in Cameroon, and the rainforests of North Sumatra in Indonesia. Research reveals that while Indigenous communities actively resist extractive operations and confront perceived environmental crimes, prevailing gender norms inhibit women’s participation and limit their voices in these movements. Nonetheless, there is a gradual increase in women’s involvement, particularly in opposition to large-scale state concessions, with many emerging as prominent environmental advocates within their communities. Women are motivated to articulate their viewpoints and contest dominant narratives regarding Indigenous communities, driven by their commitment to protect their livelihoods. The resilience strategies employed by women share similarities across the communities studied; however, they remain context-specific and nuanced, reflecting the unique circumstances across the four examined ecosystems.
This article addresses the intersection of biodiversity loss, environmental crime, and the role of women in rural and Indigenous communities. In places with rich natural resources, illicit extractive activities pose significant threats to both the environment and the socio-economic fabric of local populations, especially women. Historically, the impact of such activities has varied, influenced by established gender norms and community dynamics. Furthermore, women’s roles in these ecosystems, while challenging patriarchal structures, offer unique insights into their resilience and collective action measures. The exploration of case studies from multiple regions emphasizes the importance of understanding the localized experiences of women in the face of systemic challenges.
In summary, the exploration of the impact of biodiversity loss and environmental crime on women from rural and Indigenous communities reveals a complex interplay of resilience and adaptation. While these women face significant challenges posed by illegal extractive industries and rigid gender norms, many are rising as formidable advocates for their communities and the environment. Through increased participation in resistance efforts, these women not only fight for their rights but also contribute to broader environmental protection efforts. Their experiences and strategies highlight the necessity of acknowledging gender dynamics in discussions surrounding environmental degradation and advocacy.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
