October 24, 2023 – A new report called “Women on the Frontlines of Extractivism: How funders can support women environmental defenders,” draws on and synthesizes research from GAGGA, Global Greengrants, and SAGE Fund.
Global Alliance for Green and Gender Action (GAGGA), Global Greengrants Fund, and SAGE Fund are proud to launch “Women on the Frontlines of Extractivism: How funders can support women environmental defenders,” a new report that aims to expose how natural resource extraction both fuels and reinforces structural violence, with particular attention to the impacts on women and girls. The report draws upon and synthesizes independent research conducted by each of these three organizations, all of which was supported by the Ford Foundation through the Resilient Women and Natural Resources Initiative.
Women who work to defend our environment from extractivism often face significant harm rooted in deep-seated structural oppression that has a long history of colonial, patriarchal, and racialized violence. Despite the risks to their lives and well-being, women environmental defenders play powerful and diverse roles in uniting communities while resisting exploitation. Unfortunately, their efforts often go unnoticed and suffer from insufficient funding. Funding focused on addressing gender-based violence against women environmental activists represents only 0.05% of overall foundation funding for the environment.
Solving a crisis of this complexity is never simple. It requires layered and interconnected strategies that provide urgent support to women defenders while also addressing the root causes of extractivism. However, civil society and philanthropic approaches tend to prioritize short-term tactical strategies that fail to address the underlying causes of oppression.
Global Greengrants’ research exploring funder perspectives on this issue and offering recommendations for philanthropy will come out in 2024.