by Sariaka Langrand – May 2026
Introduction:
Protecting nature, natural resources, and ensuring inclusive and income generating projects is central to global development and local populations, especially for traditionally marginalized communities. These include rural women and Global South populations. In times of economic struggle, people’s actions towards nature can often be harmful and extractive. This can occur especially when their identity and social position adds extra burdens and the social expectation to provide for others, as often imposed upon women. Sustainable livelihoods are crucial to conservation efforts and sustainable development as it ensures that people gain a continual income through environmentally- friendly means. From this income, people are given more choices on how to ascertain their survival, which limits their dependence on nature, natural resources, and animals. Through sustainable livelihood projects, people and their relationship to nature shifts as they reduce and recognize the impact of their extractive and harmful reliance on natural resources. This occurs as they are provided with alternative modes of income and production through new development initiatives.
India:
This notion of practice, identity, and ability is reflected by Simran Sinha, as she highlights how “in places like the Sundarbans, women already hold deep ecological knowledge through their everyday relationship with land, water, forests, and wildlife, yet are often excluded from environmental decision-making” due to social perceptions and hierarchies. Thus, the goal of this nature and gender based initiative is to create “the conditions for women to become conservation leaders themselves”. This mission is reflected through Simran’s work and Women for Conservation’s support: as “Simran is a young conservationist from India passionate about community-centric conservation; [and] over the next three months, she will be working with local women in the Sundarbans to gather knowledge, design, and implement innovative solutions to mangrove loss”. This involvement and Simran’s key quotes highlight the crucial knowledges that Global South women hold due to their identity and roles within their community and culture, and how their actions help to protect their natural resources and ensure their own survival and wellbeing. As formulated, the goal is “making women the leaders of the solution”. Thus, this project is socially, environmentally, and individually empowering as it seeks to center local agential actors, non-human kin, and life-sustaining species.
Key Quotes: Simran (Women Knowledge-Makers and Transmitters)
“Through WOCAL, women are engaging deeply with their changing ecosystem, while stipends enable participation by recognizing their time and contribution to conservation. By centering women as stewards and knowledge-holders, we are already seeing early shifts in confidence, ownership, and ecological awareness — from sharing everyday observations of nature to actively
learning about and responding to local challenges”. (Simran Sinha).
Sierra Leone:
This key intertwining and dependence on nature and women’s involvement is replicated in Sierra Leone. This project centers “sustainable agriculture and reforestation projects with a focus on providing sustainable income and climate adaptation resources for local women”. This project is socially important as it centers women and youth as key changemakers in protecting and restoring resources, land, trees, and animals for their own wellbeing and access. Furthermore, “as women adopt sustainable livelihoods, families can reduce reliance on jobs that are harmful to the environment”. This involvement transgresses human needs as it ensures the sustainability of natural resources and the continuity of species within these key natural spaces. For example, the “endangered pygmy hippos (EN) and chimpanzees (CR)” that are found in this region.
Key Quotes: Roseline (Women and Nature)
“At FFFSL, our sustainable livelihoods initiatives are designed not only to improve the economic wellbeing of communities, but also to strengthen their relationship with nature and environmental stewardship. Through supporting alternative income-generating activities, community awareness,
and local participation in conservation efforts, we have seen participants become more resilient, empowered, and committed to protecting natural resources within their communities” (Roseline Isata Mansaray).
“One of the strongest impacts has been the reduction of harmful environmental practices as community members begin to recognize that protecting forests, biodiversity, and ecosystems directly contributes to their own long-term wellbeing and livelihoods. This connection between people and nature continues to inspire positive behavioral change and community ownership of conservation efforts” (Roseline Isata Mansaray).
“From planting thousands of trees to building climate-resilient farms, women in Sierra Leone are leading change from the ground up” (Roseline Isata Mansaray).
These quotes demonstrate how sustainable livelihoods, natural resources, and action-based changes intertwine, depend, and benefit from one another.
South Africa:
Expanding on women’s involvement and species conservation, the women involved in South Africa have strengthened their economic independence. To do this, they are selling artisanal products to create a paid, working, and sustainable economy for their wellbeing and economic futurity. This project has strengthened the women’s agency and possibilities. Through their work and income,
they are also advocating for the protection of local and vulnerable species such as orphaned elephants.
Key Quotes: Chensani (Women’s Independence and Supporting Sustainable Livelihoods) “Being part of the Jobu ladies Project taught me practical sewing skills that I didn’t have before. Now I can make bookmarks, luggage tags, and bracelets myself, and I feel more confident trying new things at work. It made my days feel more productive because I’m learning and creating, not just doing my usual tasks”. (Chensani Zitha).
“Earning commission for something I made myself has made me feel more independent. It’s not just a handout. It’s income from my own skills”. (Chensani Zitha).
“The commission I earn helps with household expenses like groceries and transport. It has taken a pressure off my family”. (Chensani Zitha).
“It has made me value creating things by hand instead of buying disposable items”. (Chensani Zitha).
Conclusion:
This article has highlighted three examples from India, Sierra Leone, and South Africa to highlight the importance of sustainable livelihoods on the women involved, their kinship relations, their natural setting, and the crucial species that exist within them. Women for Conservation’s involvement and the women’s daily work emphasize the value of community-centered approaches. These approaches support long-term economic stability through environmentally conscious practices. This work and the women’s lived experiences highlight the current, future, and lasting impacts of sustainable livelihoods on individual lives, regional ecosystems, and global environments.
Glossary:
Agency/Agential: one’s ability and possibility to make independent choices and changes. Marginalized: someone or a group who is excluded due to their identity and/or social position.