Photo credit: www.conservation.org
In a secluded and dry part of southwest Madagascar, the primary source of income for local families stems from the efforts of women in octopus fishing.
While the men of the community head out at dawn to pursue deep-water fish, women patiently await the receding tide. Accompanied by their children and equipped with well-worn spears, these women carefully navigate the reef flats. Octopuses tend to conceal themselves in burrows within the reef, and these women have honed their skills in capturing them, skillfully inserting their spears into the dens, twisting them gently to entangle the octopus’ tentacles, and pulling out their hard-won catch.
For several years, local communities have designated specific areas of the reef flats as off-limits for months on end to allow for the recovery of the fishery. However, the women have often found themselves excluded from discussions regarding these closures, despite their direct impact on their livelihoods.
“Our discussions with these women revealed that they were not involved in the decision-making regarding octopus fishery closures due to logistical challenges and cultural barriers. Many felt uncomfortable participating in community discussions,” explains Kame Westerman, a gender advisor with Conservation International. “These women have invaluable expertise in octopus fishing, and decisions regarding management directly impact their families’ food security and income.”
Through collaborative efforts, community members began to recognize the importance of including women fishers in the conversation. The women opted to hold separate meetings to formulate a cohesive plan regarding the fishery closures, which they later presented to the larger community. Five years on, the fisheries are thriving, and women now have a meaningful role in decisions affecting their livelihoods.
This scenario reflects a widespread issue globally: environmental challenges are often experienced differently by men and women, leading to the frequent exclusion of women from critical decision-making processes that influence their environments — including efforts aimed at mitigating climate change and managing resource scarcity. Progress is often gradual due to entrenched cultural norms and practices.
In celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8, Human Nature engaged with field staff from Conservation International to delve into the significance of gender within the realm of conservation.
Question: How is gender related to nature conservation?
Dianne Balraj, Policy Manager, Guyana: Understanding gender involves recognizing the diverse needs and priorities within a community — encompassing men, women, youth, and those of various political beliefs — ensuring that everyone benefits. Gender is not solely about women’s issues; it also encompasses other marginalized groups like girls, boys, and elderly men.
Candido Pastor, Technical Manager, Bolivia: Gender inclusivity leads to efficiency — collaborating with both women and men yields stronger conservation outcomes. Just as a soccer coach must integrate the entire team to succeed, involving all community members fosters a more democratic environment.
Nolu Kwayimani, One Health-WASH Program Manager, South Africa: People are an integral part of the ecosystems they inhabit; removing the human aspect undermines conservation efforts. For example, our One Health-WASH project focuses on protecting freshwater sources to improve community health. Women are typically responsible for water collection, giving them crucial insights into local water sources, whereas men often focus on livestock needs.
Montserrat Alban, Environmental Services Manager, Ecuador: Recognizing gender in conservation is as vital as understanding any fundamental principle in our field; it is essential for our success and aligns with ethical practices.
Q: What challenges do you encounter in promoting gender-inclusive conservation?
Whitney Anderson, Coral Triangle Initiative Program Manager, United States: Numerous misconceptions surround gender issues, and prevalent stereotypes can hinder progress. Many equate the term “gender” solely with women’s empowerment, limiting the conversation.
Kwayimani, South Africa: For too long, conservation efforts have prioritized natural sciences while neglecting the importance of integrating social sciences from the outset. While it’s essential to evaluate land cleared of invasive species or improved water quality, we must also prioritize social equality and engage with communities to nurture the environment and enhance their livelihoods. Even scheduling community meetings at times convenient for women’s participation can significantly bolster engagement.
Milagros Sandoval, Environmental Policy Senior Manager, Peru: Although the intersection of gender and conservation is evident, some individuals struggle to understand that integrating gender perspectives is not additional work; it is fundamental to effective partnerships with communities.
Pastor, Bolivia: Cultural imbalances exist in gender relations globally. It’s crucial that we acknowledge these dynamics and work purposefully towards change, as shifting entrenched mindsets can be challenging.
Conservation International is actively collaborating with women in Indonesia’s Fam Islands. This is their story.
Q: What does gender equity look like in your project communities?
Sandoval, Peru: We are collaborating with Awajun indigenous communities in Peru to acknowledge the distinct agricultural roles of men and women. We support men in cultivating sustainable coffee and cacao, while women proposed establishing a women’s forest for growing medicinal plants and sharing their traditional ecological knowledge. We’re also exploring commercial opportunities for creating herbal teas from these plants, which would provide additional income for the families.
Anderson, United States: In Papua New Guinea, a community partner, Marida Ginisi, serves as the matriarch of her clan. She initiated the establishment of a protected marine area around her island, fostering a remarkable giant clam garden that supplies food for villagers and can grow as large as four feet long. As news of her initiative spread, she began advising neighboring islands on establishing similar gardens, thereby inspiring regional stewardship of marine resources.
Balraj, Guyana: After launching a “green” loan fund for sustainable agriculture, we found that a larger number of men were utilizing the fund, often securing more substantial loans. To address this gender gap, we conducted interviews to uncover barriers women faced, such as financial literacy challenges and restrictions on traveling independently to the bank. Consequently, we are collaborating with the bank — the second-largest in Guyana — to enhance women’s access to the loan program.
Alban, Ecuador: In our Ecuador initiative, we are empowering women to form associations focused on mangrove conservation, areas traditionally dominated by men. Previously, when men returned from meetings about mangroves, their wives would question them extensively about the discussions. Now, men actively invite their wives to participate in these meetings. Additionally, we have assisted in establishing a women’s crab meat processing business and are working on commercializing other mangrove-derived products, including handmade earrings and decorative items.
Source
www.conservation.org