Progressive Pathways
In Defense of Nature: Listening to Women’s Stories of Resistance Against Extractivism in Southern Ecuador
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Diana García Orellana
What is the crucial role of women in the growing struggles and resistance against extractivism, in their defense of water and territory in the Ecuadorian province of Azuay? What are the underlying motivations that drive women to resist specific mining, water management and livelihood challenges that governments and transnational corporations impose through a discourse of development in the cantons of Cuenca, Nabon and Giron? To identify and examine specific resistance strategies, from a feminist political ecology perspective, data was collected through interviews with women in 5 rural and 4 urban collectives about their participation using the Power and Interest Matrix. Their fight transcends the merely environmental, advocating for a change in the socioeconomic and political system that promotes collective well-being and the protection of natural resources as a priority. Their activism reflects a deep commitment to the preservation of the environment and dignified ways of life for communities.
Ajrakh a Sacred Textile, and Its Transition in Contemporary Times: Defining Cultural Importance through Oral Tradition
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Suman Pandey
Ajrakh, an age-old textile from Sindh, Pakistan, is now predominantly produced in isolated locations in Western India and Eastern Pakistan, particularly in Sindh, Barmer, and Kutchh. Recently, Ajrakh of Kutchh has been granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag by the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs, and Trademarks. Despite a valuable recognition of this textile tradition, the mass commercial exploitation of it is distancing Ajrakh from its original form and diminishing its social and cultural significance. Ajrakh is a cultural heritage deeply embedded in the traditions of its patron communities. These changes have impacted Ajrakh's true identity. This study focuses on the Barmer district of western Rajasthan to understand the reasons behind these changes and the challenges faced by Ajrakh artisans. Employing a participatory research approach, oral narratives, and songs were collected through interviews with the Ajrakh artisans in Barmer, and the printing processes were examined closely. The research highlights the cultural significance of Ajrakh in contrast to its commercialization and addresses the decline of this textile printing tradition along with its current challenges. These challenges are marked by the demand for mass production in the market, the availability of raw materials, the participation of the Khatri block printer community, religious faith, and socio-cultural practices. The study also explores the dichotomy between culturally driven and market-driven crafts, caste, family legacy, economic sustainability, and migration versus labor immigration. This paper provides a comprehensive discussion on these grounds, aiming to highlight the cultural integrity of Ajrakh.
Featured From Global Ambitions to Local Realities: The Correlation Between SDGs Localization and Socio-economic Development in Ghana
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Mark Akrofi
The SDGs, adopted globally in 2015, necessitate localization where national and sub-national entities adapt and integrate these goals to address socioeconomic and environmental issues in different contexts. This research examines how local governments in Ghana integrate the SDGs into their Medium-Term Development Plans (MTDPs) and assesses the association between these localized efforts and key socio-economic development outcomes. By analyzing the MTDPs of 138 local governments across 14 regions, the research finds that 78% of the 169 SDGs targets have been localized in Ghana. Nonetheless, goals related to climate action and environmental sustainability, show less localization, indicating a need for targeted interventions. A Pearson correlation analysis revealed a strong association between localized SDGs and improved socio-economic outcomes, particularly in areas of healthcare access, education, energy access, and poverty reduction. The study highlights the potential of SDGs localization to drive sustainable development and underscores the importance of empowering local governments in tailoring global goals to local contexts. The study's insights contribute to the broader discourse on SDGs localization, offering valuable lessons for similar initiatives in other sub-Saharan African countries.
