Women’s Role in Environmental Movements
Across South Asia, women lead protests against harmful mining, dams, and nuclear plants (e.g., Odisha, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu).
Their activism protects land, forests, water, and communities.
Examples include protests in Kudankulam (Tamil Nadu), Sijimali (Odisha), and Phulbari (Bangladesh).
Exclusion from Decision-Making
Despite their leadership, women are often left out of land and development decisions.
Community consultations are male-dominated, sidelining women’s voices and knowledge.
Gendered impacts of displacement and climate change are ignored in policies and planning.
Legal Gaps and Weak Implementation
Laws like India’s Forest Rights Act and Bangladesh’s land schemes exist, but often fail women.
Land titles are usually in men’s names; single, widowed, and undocumented women are excluded.
Customary practices override formal laws, especially in tribal areas.
Gender and Climate Crisis
Climate change worsens gender inequalities — women face more work, risk, and hardship.
Their ecological knowledge is undervalued in climate adaptation plans.
Most Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) processes ignore women’s perspectives.
Call for Structural Change
Ensure women’s participation in consultations and land governance.
Recognise women as landowners and leaders in policy and development.
Support women-led activism not just in protests, but in formal negotiations and decisions.
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