The Impact of Environmental Crime on Women in Rural and Indigenous…

The article provides an analysis of how environmental crimes, particularly illegal extractive activities, impact women in rural and indigenous communities in four forest ecosystems: Ecuador, Mexico, Cameroon, and Indonesia. It highlights the gendered nature of environmental degradation and the growing role of women as leaders in resistance movements against such practices, despite systemic barriers rooted in patriarchy.

The discourse surrounding what constitutes an environmental crime continues to evolve, marked by significant attention on human-induced environmental degradation and biodiversity loss. Indigenous and rural communities residing in biodiverse regions—characterized by forests, mountains, and marine ecosystems—are among the first to experience the adverse effects of such degradation. In regions impacted by illegal extractive activities, such as mining and logging, an influx of external male laborers often occurs, leading to the ‘masculinization’ of these territories. This phenomenon disrupts communal life and heightens risks for women, particularly as they navigate forests for essential daily tasks. The ramifications of these changes are diverse, informed by community dynamics, gender roles, and patriarchal systems, and can lead to instances of physical violence. This exploratory policy brief, part of the Resilience Fund’s initiative focused on women’s resilience amid organized crime, elucidates how women in these contexts are affected by environmental degradation and biodiversity loss stemming from illegal exploitation in forested regions. Women within indigenous communities that maintain socio-cultural and economic relationships with their natural environments face heightened vulnerabilities due to the encroachment of illegal extractive economies. Understanding forest resources varies significantly between genders; men and women prioritize and utilize these resources differently based on their gendered roles and responsibilities in meeting familial and societal expectations. The brief provides case studies from four distinct forest ecosystems: the Arajuno forests in the Ecuadorian Amazon, the Sierra Tarahumara forests in Mexico, the Yabassi forests in Cameroon, and the rainforests of North Sumatra in Indonesia. Analysis reveals that while indigenous communities actively resist harmful extractive operations and associated crimes, gender norms and patriarchal biases often restrict women’s participation and voices in these movements. Nevertheless, the involvement of women in resistance efforts has grown significantly, particularly against large-scale state concessions, with many emerging as prominent environmental defenders in their respective communities. Women’s motivations to articulate their perspectives and contest the prevailing narratives surrounding indigenous peoples stem from their intrinsic desire to safeguard their livelihoods. Resilience strategies employed by women, while universally aimed at combating environmental adversities, are uniquely shaped by the distinct contexts and cultural nuances of the communities studied across the four forest ecosystems. This work was supported by UK aid from the UK government, reflecting the urgent need to address these pressing issues while recognizing that the views expressed may not align with official policies of the UK government.

The article examines the intersection of environmental crime and gender inequality as it relates to biodiversity loss, focusing specifically on the experiences of women from rural and indigenous communities in various forest ecosystems. Environmental crime, particularly illegal extractive activities, poses substantial threats to these communities’ livelihoods and safety, exacerbating existing gender disparities shaped by patriarchal systems. Women’s relationships with their environment are complex and deeply embedded in cultural contexts, influencing their roles in resource management and community defense against exploitation. This background sets the stage for understanding how women are beginning to mobilize and assert their rights in the face of these challenges.

In summary, the adverse impacts of biodiversity loss and environmental crime are disproportionately felt by women living in rural and indigenous communities, primarily due to gendered norms and societal structures. However, the increasing participation of women in resistance movements against extractive activities marks a pivotal shift toward empowerment and advocacy. Their strategies to cope with environmental degradation reveal a resilience that is contextually tailored, underlining the critical need to amplify women’s voices in environmental governance and conservation efforts.

Original Source: reliefweb.int