Gendered Environmental Discourse in the Palm Oil Sector

¹³⁴⁵ Communication Sciences, Universitas Riau, Pekanbaru, Indonesia
² Management, Universitas Riau, Pekanbaru, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: chelsy.yesicha@dosen.unri.ac.id

Abstract

The palm oil sector in Indonesia significantly shapes both gender relations and environmental narratives within the framework of sustainable development. Plantation expansion has redefined women’s roles in production systems and community livelihoods, revealing persistent inequalities amid the industry’s growth-oriented discourse. This study employs Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), ecofeminism, and political ecology to examine how gender, power, and environmental knowledge intersect in palm oil–related communication. National policies and media portray palm oil as a catalyst for economic progress while simultaneously reinforcing patriarchal hierarchies and ecological exploitation. The findings highlight that women in palm oil communities often experience unequal labor divisions, limited access to decision-making, and increased environmental health risks. However, women’s counter-narratives—rooted in local wisdom and collective agency—challenge extractive and growth-centric paradigms, reframing sustainability through the lens of equity and ecological justice. The study underscores that integrating gender perspectives into environmental governance and policy is essential for advancing inclusive sustainability, social resilience, and ethical environmental communication in the palm oil industry.