THE CONTRIBUTION OF WOMEN IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF LOCAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Vasileios Papavasileiou; Eleni Nikolaou; Nikos Andreadakis; Yota Xanthacou; Dimitrios Matzanos; Maria Kaila

THE CONTRIBUTION OF WOMEN IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF LOCAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Vasileios Papavasileiou¹*, Eleni Nikolaou², Nikos Andreadakis³, Yota Xanthacou⁴, Dimitrios Matzanos⁵, Maria Kaila⁶
¹Assoc. Prof. Dr., University of the Aegean, Greece, vpapavasileiou@rhodes.aegean.gr
²Assist. Prof. Dr., University of the Aegean, Greece, enikolaou@rhodes.aegean.gr
³Assoc. Prof. Dr., University of the Aegean, Greece, nandread@rhodes.aegean.gr
⁴Prof. Dr., University of the Aegean, Greece, xanthakou@rhodes.aegean.gr
⁵Dr, University of the Aegean, Greece, matzanos@rhodes.aegean.gr
⁶Prof. Dr., University of the Aegean, Greece, kaila@rhodes.aegean.gr
*Corresponding Author

Abstract

Sustainable local development aims to improve economy while taking into account environmental protection. Within this context, the contribution of women to sustainable local development over the years is essential to be explored in order to highlight the importance of their offer. This research aims to investigate the role of women in environmental protection for sustainable local development in a Greek island, Rhodes.

A semi-structured interview was designed as a data collection tool. It was a field research which was conducted in the villages of the island as well as in the city of Rhodes. The sample of the survey was composed of women over sixty-five (65) years of age.

The results of the survey show that the participation of women was particularly important in the environmental protection of the island, as their daily habits and occupations were environmentally friendly. The yards of their houses were decorated with flowers and trees. In their gardens they planted vegetables that were cultivating without using fertilizers or pesticides. They also collected rain water and they generally spent water with great care and attention. They did not throw the excess food in the garbage, they were giving pets or domestic animals the leftover food, and they also made sure that garbage from housework was scarce. Therefore, their work, their everyday habits and their way of life did not burden the environment, so they made a decisive contribution to the sustainable development of the island.

Keywords: environmental, local sustainable development, women