South East Asia Women Environmental Human Rights Defenders (WEHRD) Summit 2023

The 2023 South East Asia Women Environmental Human Rights Defenders (WEHRD) Summit officially opened, taking place in West Adonara District, East Flores Regency, Indonesia. Dozens of indigenous peoples and local communities from Southeast Asia attended this event.

The SEA WEHRD Summit aims to foster knowledge exchange on environmental damage, climate change, and sustainable practices. It provides a platform for sharing stories, experiences, and skills related to these issues. It showcases inspiring examples of good practices and innovations in maintaining the environment, such as sustainable agriculture, local food campaigns, organic products, handicrafts, and local food processing. The initiative also facilitates dialogue with various stakeholders, including government agencies, legislators, academia, private sector, and media, to garner support for forest conservation/restoration and forest-friendly livelihoods. Ultimately, it seeks to establish a Southeast Asia network of Indigenous and local women and young women who actively engage their communities and different sectors to enhance food production, livelihoods, and forest conservation/restoration efforts.

This event is taking place at Maria Loretta's sorghum plantation in Waiotan, Pajinian Village. Maria Loretha, is pleased to be able to host a delegation of women defenders, environmentalists and human rights activists from various countries. In her speech, Maria again reminded us of the role of women in the life process from the beginning to the end.