How women environmental defenders build solidarity

Dayoon (00:00:34–00:00:50):
Hello everyone, I’m Dayoon Kim, a research associate from SEI Asia. Our episode today is about women environmental human rights defenders and their powerful and inspiring work on the ground that contributes to social and environmental justice.

Dayoon (00:00:51–00:01:15):
We have two special guests: Tami Alvarez from Sabokahan Unity of Lumad Women, and Lia Mai Torres from the Center for Environmental Concerns. Both are based in the Philippines. Tami is joining from Mindanao Island, and there may be some audio issues—thank you for your patience.

Tami (00:01:16–00:01:56):
My name is Tami Alvarez. I’m the Vice Chairperson for external relations of Sabokahan Unity of Lumad Women. I’m a queer Lumad law student, scholar, and activist from the Manobo Diabound tribes. My role is to ensure representation, build alliances, and foster global solidarity so that we Lumad women can connect our struggles and aspirations with others, locally and internationally. We aim to rise together in the broader fight for social justice, genuine peace, and the right to self-determination.

Lia (00:01:57–00:02:33):
Hi, I’m Lia. Thank you for inviting me. I’m the Executive Director of the Center for Environmental Concerns in the Philippines. CEC is a non-profit focused on environmental research, education, policy, advocacy, and campaigns. We also serve as the secretariat of the Asia Pacific Network of Environment Defenders (APNED), which is a solidarity network supporting environmental rights and defenders.

Dayoon (00:02:34–00:02:42):
Thank you. Let’s begin. What drives you to fight for the environment and human rights?

Tami (00:02:43–00:04:17):
As a Lumad from Southern Mindanao, what drives me is our aspiration for self-determination. Land is life—it’s where we dance, heal, govern ourselves, and gather food and medicine. Losing our land would mean losing our identity. When we’re displaced, we often end up in cities where we’re blamed for poverty, seen as lazy, and treated as outsiders. I remember seeing an ice water bottle for the first time and wondering how ice got inside—because in the mountains, we had no electricity. Everything in our community was shared. My mother always reminded us never to waste food—it’s the fruit of our farmers’ labor. Even our clothes are made by exploited workers. We are all connected, so we must care for each other. But militarization and corporate land-grabbing have disrupted our lives. I remember hearing gunshots and hiding in the soil as soldiers ransacked our home when I was five. We were forced to flee countless times and ended up in urban slums. My story is not unique. Around the world, Indigenous people are being exploited due to lack of education and legal protection. That’s why Sabokahan keeps fighting—for justice and peace, and to end the political and economic systems that oppress us.

Dayoon (00:05:19–00:05:38):
Indeed, your movement addresses the root causes of Indigenous marginalization. But striving to protect the environment and human rights comes with challenges. What are some recent issues your community has faced?

Tami (00:05:39–00:06:00):
One major issue is the closure of Saluja Bungan, the Lumad Indigenous schools we built with support from other Indigenous Peoples’ organizations, NGOs, and urban allies. We’ve also faced repeated forced evacuations due to militarization.

Tami (00:06:01–00:06:29):
These schools meant everything to us. They taught literacy and numeracy but also traditional knowledge—how to make herbal medicine, how to improve agriculture. We learned that our old nomadic ways weren’t sustainable anymore due to shrinking ancestral lands caused by corporate land grabbing and monocrop plantations.

Tami (00:06:30–00:06:59):
In our schools, we studied climate change and how to protect biodiversity. We prepared for both natural and man-made disasters. Our education made our communities more resilient—not just to typhoons, but also to militarization and displacement.

Tami (00:07:00–00:07:12):
We developed systems to prepare for emergencies—food supplies, medical teams, communications, fundraising. Our Indigenous communities have always been organized, but through our schools, we strengthened that structure to adapt to today’s challenges.

Tami (00:07:13–00:07:48):
We hope that with continued campaigning, these schools will one day reopen. And when that happens, we’d love people from the cities and from abroad to come and witness what we’ve built.

Tami (00:07:49–00:08:33):
We’ve developed several strategies to address our challenges. First is community organizing. Our campaigns are driven by the needs and aspirations of Lumad women and our people. Nothing succeeds without their full support and participation.

Tami (00:08:34–00:09:06):
Second is building alliances with other sectors—both locally and globally. Protecting the environment and human rights is everyone’s fight. The same forces that displace us—corporate greed, militarism—harm workers, farmers, students, and others across society.

Tami (00:09:07–00:09:32):
Third is lobbying and protests to pressure the government. Over time, we’ve built relationships with legislators to push for the repeal of neoliberal policies that justify land grabs, militarization, and human rights abuses.

Dayoon (00:09:33–00:09:53):
Thank you for sharing that, Tami. Lia, from your perspective, what key lessons would you share with other environmental defenders?

Lia (00:09:54–00:10:23):
The most important lesson we’ve learned is to work directly with local communities. Our role is to act as facilitators—helping them connect with other communities, networks, organizations, and even government entities. Local communities are on the frontlines of environmental defense. They’re also the most vulnerable. We should help strengthen their capacities, learn from them, adopt effective strategies, and share those across movements.

Lia (00:10:24–00:10:34):
This approach helps build a national environmental movement—and ultimately, contributes to an international movement for ecological and climate justice, and social transformation.

Dayoon (00:10:36–00:10:53):
Thanks, Lia. As you mentioned collaboration, who do you see as critical allies in your work—and what support do you need from them?

Lia (00:10:54–00:11:21):
Civil society organizations from all sectors are crucial for building local unity. Religious groups and academic institutions can expand the reach of advocacy. Local government units are key because they’re close to the people and can provide urgent support and legislative backing.

Lia (00:11:22–00:11:53):
At the national level, civil society, other NGOs, and legislators are all important. Internationally, we need support from CSOs, intergovernmental organizations, UN agencies, and donors. CSOs can help with advocacy, education, and policy lobbying. Legislators can amend or scrap harmful policies. Human rights groups can provide protection. Donors are essential for funding grassroots work.

Dayoon (00:12:13–00:12:31):
Thank you. We hope this podcast gives your work more visibility and helps bring new allies and supporters on board. Is there anything else you’d like to share with a broader audience?

Lia (00:12:32–00:12:58):
I’d just like to highlight that everyone can be an environmental defender. Environmental issues and climate change affect us all, and collective action is our best path forward. Initiatives like this podcast are so important to help spread the message—thank you again for having us.

Tami (00:12:59–00:13:34):
Please support our book We Call Her Ina Bai—100% of proceeds go toward supporting Sabokahan’s advocacy and on-the-ground work. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more info. We’re also open to consignment partnerships, and you can email us at [email protected].

Tami (00:13:35–00:14:11):
The Lumad struggle is vital to global movements for justice and self-determination. Our defense of ancestral lands and the environment is part of a broader resistance to extractive capitalism. The experiences we’ve gained through our struggle can offer valuable lessons for other movements—locally and globally.

Dayoon (00:14:12–00:14:36):
Thank you both for your powerful stories and insights. To our listeners—if you want to support this work, visit the websites and social media of Sabokahan Unity of Lumad Women and the Center for Environmental Concerns. Please help spread the word about their vital efforts.