To mark International Women’s Day on 8 March, IAR is celebrating an extraordinary group of women working to protect the rainforests of Indonesia. Collectively known as ‘The Power of Mama,’ these first ever female firefighters in Borneo are living examples of this year’s International Women’s Day theme – ‘Embrace Equity.’ They have taken on roles traditionally held by men, revolutionising attitudes towards the role of women in their communities while also protecting the natural environment. The group ranges in age from 25 to 50 years old.
The Power of Mama is a new community development and gender empowerment initiative set up with support from YIARI, IAR’s partners in Indonesia, which is inspiring local women to play an active role in forest fire protection. Fires are one of the biggest risks to the rainforest and to the survival of the orangutan species.
Every year, wildfires destroy thousands of acres of Indonesia’s tropical rainforests, causing countless casualties to humans and wildlife, and releasing millions of tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. This year, the predicted return of the El Nino climate phenomenon threatens to send global temperatures soaring higher than ever, increasing the risk of severe heatwaves, droughts and fires. The need for the Power of Mama teams has never been greater.
“These new teams are working together on the front line to reduce, prevent and fight forest fires,” said Gail Campbell-Smith Ph.D., Research and Conservation Programme Development Advisor at YIARI, IAR’s partners in Indonesia.
“As champions of wildlife conservation, role models, educators and beacons of hope, the female-led fire prevention teams are not only transforming attitudes towards the role of women in their villages, they are also highlighting the capabilities and success of females in traditionally male roles,” she added.
Empowering women to become involved in environmental issues has unlocked the talent, skills and determination of a whole new section of the community, increasing the ability of that community to protect wildlife and forest habitats and change people’s lives.
The Power of Mama initiative is proving to be a highly successful part of a project whose goals include restoring peatlands, protecting orangutans and other wildlife, empowering local women and increasing education of women and children. Communities living on the edge of the forest also benefit from a reduction in the number of fires, as well as gaining greater awareness of the importance of protecting forests, and improved health and well-being.
“We always knew that once you put an opportunity like this in front of smart, diligent women, they’d run at it full steam ahead. It’s amazing to witness,” says Campbell-Smith.
Alan Knight OBE, President of IAR, commented: “Already, this band of brave and resilient women are achieving great things in the forest and within their communities. They are champions of nature conservation and gender equality, tackling two of the most pressing issues of our time. We couldn’t be more proud to be working with them and celebrating their success, not just on this special International Women’s Day, but every day.”