“Women Empowering Women”: Informal Leadership Education on Becoming “Eco-Heroines” in Solid Waste Management

Abstract

Introduction: Environmental sustainability has reached considerable awareness among individuals and organisations in some parts of the world. Malaysia and Indonesia also share the same response toward the betterment of the socio-ecological environment. Women’s empowerment through the management of solid wastes received reasonably good interest from women themselves. Objective: The article attempts to inform the readers about the virtuous women’s leadership roles to empower womankind to sustain their socio-ecological maintenance. It is the real-life experience of the peasants who turn to be the recyclers and repurposers in two Southeast Asian cities —K uala Terengganu and Jakarta. Methodology: This article is based on an ethnographic study through the eyes and lives of women who directly engage in “something good” for their socio-ecological surroundings, and consequently, get benefits from this informal, lifelong education. This research project utilises methods of one-to-one, in-depth interview s and observation. Findings: It indicates that women empowering efforts and leadership encourage them to become effective members of their local communities. They a re the “eco-heroines” who empower their women folks through recycling and repurposing solid wastes, particularly the household-based. Significance: The article elaborates on the crucial roles of women’s empowering efforts and their participation in a decision-making process that benefits humanities. The direct consequence is that their efforts had produced profound benefits through the elimination of poverty and the improvement of livelihood.