Ecofeminism Amid Crisis: Centering Women in Indonesia’s Climate Justice Movement

Abstract

This paper explores the role of ecofeminism in Indonesia’s climate justice movement, emphasizing the pivotal role of women in advocating for environmental sustainability and social equity amidst the escalating climate crisis. Ecofeminism, which connects environmental degradation with gender inequality, provides a lens through which to understand the disproportionate impacts of climate change on women, particularly in rural and marginalized communities. In Indonesia, women—especially those in agriculture, fishing, and indigenous communities—are on the frontlines of climate impacts, from extreme weather events to resource scarcity. This study examines the ways in which Indonesian women, both individually and through grassroots organizations, are driving climate justice initiatives that challenge both environmental exploitation and gender oppression. Through interviews, case studies, and an analysis of ecofeminist activism, the research highlights how women’s leadership in local climate adaptation, conservation, and policy advocacy is central to building a more just and resilient society. Findings suggest that ecofeminist perspectives are often sidelined in national climate discourse, with policies frequently neglecting the intersectional nature of climate vulnerability and the contributions of women in environmental leadership. This paper argues that a truly inclusive climate justice movement must center the voices and experiences of women, integrating ecofeminist principles into policy frameworks to address both ecological and gendered inequalities. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of how ecofeminism can inform and strengthen climate justice movements in Indonesia, urging a rethinking of climate policy that elevates women’s roles in shaping a sustainable future.