By reexamining how we define leadership and shape leaders, we aim to build a fairer world where women leaders are plentiful and thriving. 

The month of March marked International Women’s Day, as well as several environmental days, such as World Wildlife Day, International Day of Forests, and World Water Day. This prompted us to reflect—what are the intersections between women, leadership, and environmental action?

In honour of World Wildlife Day, International Forest’s Day and Women’s Month, we highlight Wedu community member Raevene Morillo, whose journey shows us the power of shifting perspectives. As an advocate for the Rights of Nature (RoN) in the Philippines, Raevene has committed herself to challenging deeply ingrained ideas about nature’s role and the systemic protection it deserves.

In this interview, Raevene reflects on her career, her educational journey, and the invaluable role women play in advocating for a more just and sustainable future for the planet.

Raevene’s professional journey

My journey took a meaningful turn when I came across the ISA programme.

Q: Tell us a bit about yourself and your background.

I’m from Quezon City, Philippines, and my path has been shaped by my interest for environmental advocacy, gender equality, and social justice. My journey took a meaningful turn when I came across the ISA programme, which played a pivotal role in enabling me to continue my education while also navigating personal challenges.

Q: How did you first hear about the ISA programme, and how did it impact you?

I initially discovered the ISA programme through an online search, and I was later guided by members of the Wedu team. They provided support every step of the way. Beyond financial support, the ISA helped me stay grounded during a difficult time when I was also responsible for the care and expenses of my beloved late grandmother. The programme enabled me to fund my education and connected me with a network of women equally committed to growth and professional development.

The programme enabled me to fund my education and connected me with a network of women equally committed to growth and professional development.

Q: How has the ISA affected your life beyond financial support?

The ISA was transformative in that it showed me the power of equitable funding and how it can pave the way for women’s empowerment. I frequently recommend the program to friends and colleagues who are pursuing further education, as I believe it sets a powerful example of how funding can be accessible to those who are committed to learning and creating change.

Q: Reflecting on your time as a Wedu Rising Star, what has been the most significant part of your experience?

I’m incredibly grateful to have been connected with a mentor who is an inspiring leader in the climate space. My mentor’s work has been an eye-opener, reminding me that such success is possible with the right timing, support, and heartfelt determination. It’s a constant reminder that the world is full of women leaders paving the way for sustainable change, and I’m honoured to be part of that legacy.

It sets a powerful example of how funding can be accessible to those who are committed to learning and creating change. It’s a constant reminder that the world is full of women leaders paving the way for sustainable change.

The Power of Shifting Perspectives

Q: Your work at Rights of Nature PH challenges the idea of nature as property. Can you elaborate on why it’s crucial to recognise nature’s rights?

I work as a Rights of Nature Project Officer at the Philippine Misereor Partnership Inc. (PMPI), which is a member of a larger national and global movement advocating for Rights of Nature (RoN) or Nature’s rights. The RoN framework resonates deeply with me because it allows me to pursue environmental work in a way that transcends the utilitarian, human-centred approach. Nature, like humans, has inherent rights to exist, regenerate, thrive, and be protected. This is not just an environmental issue—it’s a matter of justice. The current system commodifies nature, violating its rights for profit. Our collective thriving is deeply intertwined with the health of nature, and we must shift the focus from short-term gain to long-term ecological balance.

Q: How is the concept of “nature having rights” received in the Philippines?

The perspective varies depending on who you speak with. RoN is still an emerging framework, and many environmental advocates work from the standpoint of anthropocentric reasoning—focusing on resources for future generations or human use. While these motives are noble, RoN advocates for a deeper understanding that nature’s rights exist independently of human needs.

However, in a country like the Philippines, where people are grappling with economic challenges and social justice issues, the mainstream conversation around nature’s rights is still evolving and is gravely relegated to regulation and at times, greenwashing. We cannot expect immediate broad understanding, but that’s why the movement is so important. It’s about educating and empowering people to see the interconnection between humanity and nature.

On the other hand, the movement owes a debt of gratitude to indigenous cultures the world over. Working with indigenous communities in the Philippines, we’ve been consistently reminded how it’s innate to our indigenous roots to acknowledge the reality that our coexistence with Nature is the foundation of all rights. We have much to learn from our indigenous cultures on reconnecting with our ecosystems and with each other.

 Achieving a paradigm shift is about everyday choices and struggles.

Q: What challenges have you encountered in advocating for a shift in perspective?

Shifting perspectives is a monumental challenge, but it’s also necessary. It’s not that humans are inherently problematic—it’s that our systems have been shaped by a few to benefit their own. These systems, fueled by capitalism and consumerism, have placed nature in a position where its rights are continually violated. Achieving a paradigm shift is about everyday choices and struggles—creating spaces for people to reconnect with nature, acknowledge the injustice it faces, and act with compassion. It’s about demanding accountability from those in power and pushing for systemic change.

Shifting perspectives is a monumental challenge, but it’s also necessary. It’s not that humans are inherently problematic—it’s that our systems have been shaped by a few to benefit their own.

The Role of Education in Shifting Perspectives

Q: How did your education contribute to your work in environmental advocacy?

My background in international studies, with a focus on development and gender, laid the foundation for my understanding of the interconnectedness of global struggles. Through my education and immersing myself in advocacy work since 2013, I became sensitised to the complexities of human rights and environmental work, particularly the need to address the underlying causes of social and ecological degradation, especially through non-polarising ways. My further studies in integral ecology and coastal management reaffirmed my belief that true environmental work requires deep reflection, compassion, and a commitment to healing the earth.

Through my formal education, I was also able to grow my network in both human and environmental work.

Through my formal education, I was also able to grow my network in both human and environmental work. Since my undergrad, I’ve pursued graduate studies at two different institutions and have opted to maximise the network I’ve come across with. In fact, I’m currently working on projects with one of my past schools, in addition to my current academic institution. I’m also grateful to have learned from compassionate and critical-minded practitioners who have shown me that in addition to safe and creative learning spaces within the academe, we are called to continue engaging and learning beyond our classrooms.

Women and the Environment

Q: What role do you think women play in caring for the planet?

Women have historically been at the forefront of environmental and development work. In my experience, women are the ones creating safe spaces for marginalised communities, advocating for nature, and leading the charge against patriarchy. Despite the overwhelming presence of men in power, especially within capitalist systems, women are the ones pushing for change, often at great personal and professional cost. Ecological work is everyone’s business, but women have uniquely navigated the intersection of gender and environmental justice in ways that inspire.

Ecological work is everyone’s business, but women have uniquely navigated the intersection of gender and environmental justice in ways that inspire.

Q: What strengths do women bring to environmental work?

Women possess a unique connection to both nature and the struggles for rights—whether those rights are for the environment, marginalised communities, or women themselves. There’s an inherent recognition among many women that both nature and women’s rights are often undervalued and overlooked. In my personal experience as a cisgender woman, I’ve found that women tend to bring a deeply compassionate and nurturing approach to environmental work. They lead with empathy, wisdom, and resilience, qualities that are essential in creating a more ecologically just future for all.

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Raevene Morillo’s advocacy exemplifies the power of shifting perspectives and the critical role women play in shaping a fairer world.

This piece was collected as part of our Redefining Leadership campaign, which aims to shift perspectives on leadership by examining key leadership concepts, providing information and facts on leadership in the region, and taking inspiration from the leadership journeys of the women leaders in the Wedu Community.