Defending Land And Community In Southeast Asia

Throughout Southeast Asia, women environmental activists are risking physical assault, arrest and jail time to defend their lands and communities. For example, Bai Ali Indayla, a Moro woman from Mindanao in the Philippines, is an outspoken advocate for the Bangsmaro people, whose safety and well-being is threatened by militarization, conflict and multinational mining companies. In Indonesia, Jull Takaliuang worked to stop destructive gold mining, reclaim beaches and halt illegal logging. Eva Bande, a mother of three from Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, founded the People’s Front for Central Sulawesi Palm Oil Advocacy to organize communities to stop illegal land grabs and monitor environmental degradation. These three women received death threats and even prison sentences due to their activities, but continue to fight for justice. Photo credit: Krissanto Triputro