This article has been translated using AI. Original version
Executive Summary
Climate change is a global challenge affecting all layers of society, but indigenous women are often among the most vulnerable. They serve not only as custodians of tradition and culture, but also as managers of natural resources in their communities. The local knowledge held by indigenous women plays a vital role in their response to climate change. This includes a deep understanding of the environment, ecosystems, and sustainable practices passed down through generations.
Indigenous women play a crucial role in preserving their traditional knowledge and culture, which are integral parts of climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies. Through informal education to younger generations, they ensure this knowledge remains alive. Increasing the active participation of women in climate change planning and decision-making processes is essential to ensure their needs and perspectives are acknowledged. Therefore, it is critical to understand how climate change affects indigenous women and the policy steps needed to support them.
Background
Bengkulu Province is highly vulnerable to various climate change-induced disasters. Geographically, it has a 525-kilometre coastline, making it prone to sea-level rise and coastal abrasion. In recent years, Bengkulu has experienced more frequent natural disasters such as floods, landslides, and strong winds. The region is located in a tsunami-prone zone, exacerbated by shifting environmental conditions. Most of the population relies on agriculture and fisheries, both of which are severely impacted by climate change, leading to economic losses.
Climate change poses a serious threat to indigenous women, who play a vital role in environmental and cultural sustainability. Inclusive, gender-based policies are urgently needed to ensure that their voices are heard and considered in climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts. With the right approach, indigenous women can become key agents in addressing climate change challenges.
Climate change impacts on indigenous women are complex and interconnected with social, economic, and environmental issues. To support them, it’s important to integrate gender perspectives into climate policies and ensure their inclusion in decision-making. The state must recognise, protect, and respect their traditional knowledge, while providing access to resources and training to strengthen their resilience.
Indigenous women play an essential role in adapting to and mitigating climate change, thanks to their traditional knowledge and skills. Their local knowledge is a valuable asset, and their responses reflect a combination of tradition, innovation, and resilience.
By empowering indigenous women and integrating their knowledge into climate change policies and programmes, more effective and sustainable solutions can be created. Collaboration among indigenous women, governments, and civil society organisations is vital to achieve this.
Impacts and Threats of Climate Change on Indigenous Women
Climate change is altering weather patterns, affecting agriculture and food security. Indigenous women who rely on traditional farming face difficulties in sustaining their livelihoods. The loss of biodiversity and environmental changes also endanger many nature-based cultural practices.
Climate change heightens health risks, including vector-borne diseases and psychological stress due to loss of resources and cultural identity. Often, indigenous women have limited access to resources, healthcare, and education, making them more vulnerable.
They are typically responsible for food production and resource management. Climate-related droughts, floods, and shifting weather patterns can reduce crop yields, threatening household food security. Limited access to land and resources worsens their ability to adapt and survive.
Rising disease risks directly affect women’s health, including reproductive health. Healthcare access is frequently limited, particularly in remote areas. Environmental stress, loss of livelihood, and threats to cultural identity contribute to mental health issues among indigenous women.
They often bear a double burden — meeting family needs while adapting to climate changes — leading to physical and emotional exhaustion. Traditional livelihoods, like farming or handicrafts, may be disrupted, pushing women into sectors that do not necessarily respect their rights.
As custodians of traditional resource management knowledge, women risk losing this heritage as climate change alters ecosystems. Cultural practices tied to natural cycles — rituals and festivals — are also under threat. In areas impacted by rising sea levels or natural disasters, displacement becomes likely.
Indigenous women are often excluded from climate policy-making, reducing their ability to adapt and protect their rights.
Field discussions and direct observations with indigenous women’s groups in western coastal Seluma District confirm that the impacts and threats of climate change are already being felt. In Penago Baru Village, coastal abrasion and increasingly erratic climate have led to extreme sea waves that strand fish, clams, and other marine life on the shore.
Sea-level rise and river overflow have caused flooding in residential areas. Fishermen’s incomes have declined due to heavy rains, high waves, and strong winds that make it difficult to predict fishing seasons. Ongoing climate instability makes it hard for fisherfolk to go to sea, forcing them to change jobs or relocate.
Since 2006, Penago Baru residents, especially women, have observed climate changes. Oil palm plantations have altered local weather, decreased water availability, and dried up rice fields. Iron sand mining has further intensified coastal abrasion.
In Pasar Talo Village, home to a beautiful estuary beach, the road to the coast collapsed in 2022. Residents now rely on narrow paths to access the beach.
In Penago I Village’s Air Batuan area, coastal land has been cleared for palm plantations. In 2023, coastal trees were damaged, and seawater surges nearly reached residential areas. Local livelihoods in fishing and farming are being affected, with rice crop failures reported in 2023.
Indigenous women observe that prolonged dry seasons with warmer temperatures result in high evaporation, drying out soil and vegetation. This makes rice farming difficult due to low groundwater levels. Conversely, heavy rainfall increases flood risks and causes damage to crops and infrastructure.
Indigenous Women’s Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies
Indigenous women often use eco-friendly farming methods like crop rotation, agroforestry, and organic fertilisers to preserve soil fertility and strengthen food security. Access to education and training on modern agriculture, water management, and disaster mitigation empowers them to better adapt to climate change.
Developing climate-resilient infrastructure, such as efficient irrigation or water storage systems, helps reduce the impact of droughts and floods. Alternative income sources — like handicrafts, community-based tourism, or local products — can reduce dependence on climate-sensitive farming.
Building support networks among indigenous women to share knowledge and experience enhances collective resilience. Combining traditional and modern practices in resource management creates more effective and sustainable solutions.
Community-driven adaptation and mitigation strategies include:
- Mangrove planting to prevent seawater intrusion into villages.
- Planting 1,000 pine trees in 2023, commemorating National Education Day with teachers, students, villagers, and the Penago Baru and Rawa Indah village governments.
- BPDASHL Ketahun-facilitated pine planting programmes from 2021–2022.
Policy Recommendations
Some alternative efforts to reduce climate change impacts on indigenous women include:
- Policies that empower indigenous women through education and training in sustainable natural resource management, adaptation skills, and climate change mitigation.
- Active involvement of indigenous women in climate and environmental policy-making at local, national, and international levels.
- Government support for women-led climate adaptation and mitigation initiatives.
- Urgent rehabilitation and protection of conservation areas along western Seluma’s coastline — these act as greenbelts against climate threats.
- Recognition, protection, and respect for indigenous women’s rights to land and natural resources, including access, management, and sustainable use.
- Climate change awareness programmes tailored to the cultural contexts of indigenous women’s communities.
Conclusion
The impacts of climate change on indigenous women in Bengkulu Province are complex and interrelated. To reduce risks and negative effects, appropriate adaptation and mitigation measures are essential. These include sustainable natural resource management, food security enhancement, disaster-resilient infrastructure, public education on climate risks, and ecosystem restoration.
Collaborative efforts among government, communities, and the private sector are key to strengthening community resilience against climate change.
Note: This policy brief is part of the Mother Earth Project facilitated by WALHI Bengkulu and produced with support from Meedan.
