Introduction
Southeast Asia is a region of great cultural and environmental diversity, with many challenges for nature conservation. However, women working in conservation face additional challenges, such as lack of support and recognition in their professional roles.
Jessa Cabaay, technical manager of Community Centered Conservation (C3), a Philippines-based non-profit, knows this all too well. When she started working in marine conservation, she often felt alone in stakeholder meetings, feeling that her audience questioned her credibility.
Challenges Faced by Women in Conservation
Cabaay recounts that the fishermen she worked with didn't listen to her at first when she tried to talk to them about establishing marine protected areas (MPAs). She believes this was due to cultural beliefs deeply ingrained in many Philippine coastal communities, which place women in domestic roles rather than professional ones.
These expectations can be a significant obstacle for women who want to work in conservation. However, Cabaay found support and encouragement through a peer-support network that links female conservation professionals across Southeast Asia.
The Peer-Support Network
The initiative, called the Network of Women (NOW), is led by the Asian Species Action Partnership (ASAP), a Singapore-based interagency coalition that focuses on critically endangered species of land and freshwater vertebrates. Launched in 2021, the program combines in-person leadership and support to help women in conservation.
Cabaay says connecting with other women facing similar challenges has been a game-changer: "I realized I'm not struggling alone. We all feel the same".
Conclusion
The peer-support network is an example of how women can support each other in conservation. It's essential that organizations and governments support these initiatives to promote gender equality and diversity in conservation.
Source / Reference: Mongabay