EEI SEMINAR: “Gender-Mediated Externalities Linked to Cultural Ecosystem Services: The Case Study of Pag Island, Croatia” by Ksenija Hana¿ek

EEI SEMINAR: “Gender-Mediated Externalities Linked to Cultural Ecosystem Services: The Case Study of Pag Island, Croatia”

Speaker: Ksenija Hana¿ek,  PhD candidate at ICTA-UAB

Moderator: Beatriz Rodríguez-Labajos, ICTA-UAB postdoctoral researcher

Date: Wednesday, March 14th 2018

Time: 12.30h

Room: Z/023 ICTA-UAB

Since ancient times on Pag island, traditional hilly pastures represent a primary source of inhabitants’ livelihoods. Sheep are fed with endemic aromatic plants, from which traditional cheese is made. Very specific in its taste and aroma, made it one of the most demanding and expensive cheeses in the European market. The island also carries a centuries old hand lacemaking tradition, explicitly made by women inhabitants. Both cheese and lace are cultural ecosystem services (CES) used in local festivals and social gatherings. Their traditional making is transmitted cross generations and represents cultural identity of the people.  However, a recent conflict escalation is related to dissatisfaction of using the lace symbol on cheese for selling purposes, without the recognition of women work or their contribution to the CES co-creation. 

From the political economy point of view, likewise natural resources, women and their work are externalised by the current capitalist economic system. At the same time in the ecosystem services framework, little is known about gender-sensitive issues related to CES co-creation. Implications for environmental justice or benefits distribution from ecosystems, have rarely been explored. Thus, studying gender equity is of scientific interest in achieving environmental justice and social cohesion. 

To that end, the purpose of the study was firstly to identify the relationship between the traditional lace and cheese making. Secondly, their benefits distribution between different actors, and finally the conflict development process in the lace-cheese co-creation.

Bio

Ksenija Hana¿ek obtained MSc degree in Agroecological Engineering and Environmental Protection from the University of Zagreb in 2012, and in Ecological Economics from the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) in 2015.  Currently, she is a PhD candidate at the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (ICTA, UAB) and junior researcher of the scientific project STACCATO. Her current research focuses on cultural agroecosystem services, land-use and management changes, and environmental conflicts.