[Learning Experience from trip to Noida, India] BY MARSELA ARNANDA / RANU WELUM MEDIA
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Noida city on November 16th 2019, at that time the PM 2.5 concentration was above 500 µg/m3.
Dayak wisdom says humans are equal to nature. Putting ourselves in this position of not being superior to the environment creates harmony, where we won’t take and exploit resources with greed. Instead, take what you need, and always give back. Honor nature with respect and protect it by living sustainably. Nature is way bigger than us but we tend to feel we are more powerful.
We draw similarities with the equality between humans & nature, to the equality we would like to see between men & women. Humans themselves, men and women, are equal to one another. When both have equal rights and are valued on the same level, harmony can be found in society.
Ranu Welum’s founder, Emmanuela Shinta was invited to Noida International Literature Festival 2019 in India, as panelist for two discussions: “Environmental Health: A Need For Global Strategy” and “Women Empowerment Unplugged: Women Equality With Men”. I joined as her assistant. We had the chance of escaping haze from Palangkaraya but unfortunately inhaled haze once again in India. Apparently bad air pollution has become a global issue.
Emmanuela Shinta (center) speaking at Noida International Literature Festival 2019.
From attending the festival and hearing her speaking on those two topics: environment and feminism, it reminded me of the wisdom of 'equality'. In the ideal world, if we believe in equality, it will lead to both environmental justice and social justice. But the reality of today is that environmental health is not prioritised and feminism rises because of increasing inequality.
Indigenous communities are on the frontline in protecting nature. The impact of injustices, whether environmental or social, are felt by the Indigenous communities first. Now everyone is starting to feel the consequences of environmental destruction, such as climate change and air pollution (that can't be escaped), everyone wants to protect nature too. What can be the solution? Learn from the Indigenous communities. Listen to their wisdom and follow sustainable practices that have been inherited from their ancestors.
Just as the wisdom says, take no more than what you need. Be mindful of consumption.
Now, what shall we do? Everyone needs to take action in whatever area of interest their work is. Take steps in sustainable practices and mindful consumption. Be more aware of Indigenous rights and learn why it's important.
The trees don’t talk and they can’t fight back. But they shouldn’t need to fight back. Humans are the ones that need to change their mindset. We see the same with feminism. Abuse or violation of rights happen because one person feels stronger than the other, and the other can’t speak nor fight back. Do we need empowerment for the weaker one to be able to fight? Just like the case with the environment, how we perceive one another is important.
"So many people will generalize; if you're not in the position of leadership then you're not a powerful woman. I think that's totally wrong. We have to reshape our concept about women and their powers in society." - Emmanuela Shinta.
Women - our mothers, grandmothers, sisters, friends, women in congress, women selling in the market, women at homes, all women are powerful women.
Women should feel the same comfort as men when walking in the street (even catcalls are intolerable). The office environment needs to be free of sexist acts. Women need to be given the same rights to excel in various aspects, let it be driving cars or wearing comfortable shoes at work.
When gender equality is reached, women are no longer an object. Women are also the subject. Mindset change needs to happen in everyone, both men and women.
If the concepts of ‘women and their powers in society’ and ‘humans are superior to nature’ are reshaped, it will lead to the equality and justice we want. We need to focus on changing the way the world perceives the relations between environment, humans, men, and women.
Equality between women and men, equality between humans and nature - mindset change is a powerful tool for both.
Emmanuela Shinta and I at #NILF2019. I’m still constantly learning about both environment and feminism as I myself am a woman and an indigenous rights activist.