Natur&ëmwelt Discusses Ecofeminism

For Women’s International Day, natur&ëmwelt introduces the concept of ecofeminism, its origin and roots and explains its relevancy.

Feminist movements are fighting all kinds of oppression ranging from local to international level. These last years have given rise to MeToo on the one hand, opening new ways of addressing inequalities and sexual violence while, at the same time, Fridays for Future, Extinction Rebellion, Climate Justice Action and other movements have increased due to the urgency of ecological crisis. How does feminism tie in with the environment? 

1. First things first. What is ecofeminism?

In simple terms, ecofeminism or ecological feminism links political ideology with feminist theory that emphasises and critically examines the relationship between women and nature/environment. However, there is not one set of definition as there are various branches and perspectives that exist that respond differently to the topics at hand. Broadly speaking, it sees a connection between the degradation of the natural world and women’s oppression. Both are stemming from the same roots. They are consequences of a hierarchical, patriarchal, capitalist, and anticolonial rhetoric.

2. Interesting. What is its origin?

It has emerged out of the different collectives and political activism of the 1970s and 1980s alongside second wave feminism and the green movements. The term itself was coined by Françoise d’ Eaubonne. With the surges of feminist thought and green awareness came up the question: How are the movements of gender equality and environmental preservation related? Eaubonne’s answer, the oppression of women, people of colour and the poor are linked to the degradation of the natural world instrumentalised through violence, objectification, resource extraction and devaluation are used. Since then, various women have shaped the vision and unveiled contributions to environmental history, one of them being Vandana Shiva, an Indian philosopher, highlighting the importance of women’s participation in keeping the processes alive that nourishes us. 

3. What are the basic principles/goals of the movement?

Any approach to address women’s equality should not be achieved at the expense of worsening the environment and vice-versa. This belief also argues that a shift can happen by changing our value systems notably the dualistic/binary and hierarchical thinking. It is all about building our communities by dismantling the systems that we cannot live within. Ecofeminism stands for cooperation, care, non-violence and sustainability over domination and exploitation.

4. Can you name any examples of ecofeminist movements?

Yes. The green belt movement in Kenya that has been established since 1977, for example. It is an environmental conservation group that seeks the preservation of its environment and empowers and responds to the needs of rural women. One may have heard of the Chipko movement in North India, a non-violent environmental group led by indigenous women that gathered villagers to prevent a nearby logging by embracing trees. Did you know that women are particularly affected and bear greater burden by environmental issues? 

5. Why is that? 

Because women worldwide rely on natural environment more, they are more likely to be displayed or must travel farther for resources. According to the UN Women report of 2023, if current trends continue, more than 340 million women and girls will still live in extreme poverty by 2030. Close to one in four will experience severe food insecurity. Climate Change only worsen this outlook. Highlighting these structural imbalances is primordial to focus on collective action that that all living beings can live in safe environments with access to vital support systems. 

6. Why is ecofeminism relevant today? 

Creating a more compassionate society towards all life on earth requires the understanding that all forms of oppression and violence carry the same roots upheld by patriarchal, capitalist and colonialist values. An intersectional approach is necessary to understand how other forms of oppression intersect with diverse identities.  Climate Crisis has an unequal impact on the whole population. As the Declaration of Interdependence (written for the 1992 Earth Summit) states – we are one part of many weaving the layer of life, the stability of our communities of living things depends upon diversity. We are linked in this web, all interconnected. Our changing relationship with Earth, we should strive from dominance to partnership, from separation to connection. 

natur&ëmwelt volunteer Vanessa Bock helped collect the relevant information from the NGO for this article.