Ecofeminism

 

Ecofeminism

 

Introduction

Ecofeminism is a movement and theoretical framework that explores the deep connections between the oppression of women and the exploitation of the natural environment. Emerging in the 1970s, ecofeminism argues that patriarchal systems not only subordinate women but also degrade nature—both seen as resources to be dominated, controlled, and exploited.

It is not just an academic concept—it is a call for social and ecological transformation, demanding justice that is both environmental and gender-inclusive.

Historical Roots of Ecofeminism

The term écoféminisme was coined in 1974 by French feminist Françoise d’Eaubonne in her book Le Féminisme ou la Mort (Feminism or Death). She emphasized that a patriarchal society’s exploitation of women and nature shared similar roots: dominance, exploitation, and lack of respect for life.

In the 1980s and 1990s, ecofeminism became a global movement, integrating environmental activism with feminist struggles, often led by women from rural and Indigenous communities who faced the direct consequences of environmental destruction.

Core Principles of Ecofeminism

1. Connection Between Women and Natur: Many ecofeminists argue that women’s roles in caregiving, food production, and community leadership make them more attuned to ecological well-being.

2. Critique of Dualisms: Ecofeminism challenges binary thinking such as man/woman, culture/nature, and human/animal—arguing that these separations justify oppression.

3. Intersectional Approach: Ecofeminism recognizes that environmental destruction disproportionately affects marginalized groups, including poor women, Indigenous peoples, and communities of color.

4. Ethics of Care: Prioritizing cooperation, empathy, and sustainability over exploitation and profit maximization.

Notable Figures in Ecofeminism

1. Françoise d’Eaubonne – Introduced the term ecofeminism.

2. Vandana Shiva – Critiques industrial agriculture and promotes biodiversity conservation; advocates for women-led ecological movements in India.

3. Maria Mies – Co-authored Ecofeminism with Shiva, focusing on capitalist-patriarchal exploitation.

4. Greta Gaard – Explores ecofeminism in literature, ethics, and activism.

5. Karen J. Warren – Developed ecofeminist philosophy and ethical frameworks.

Ecofeminism in Action: Case Studies

Ecofeminist principles are not confined to academic theory—they are lived and practiced in grassroots and global movements. The following case studies demonstrate how women’s leadership and environmental stewardship intersect to create lasting change.

1. Chipko Movement – India

In the early 1970s, rural communities in the Himalayan region of Uttarakhand (then part of Uttar Pradesh) faced large-scale deforestation due to commercial logging. This threatened their access to firewood, fodder, and clean water—resources essential for daily life.

Women, who bore the brunt of this ecological crisis, organized to protect their forests. They adopted a unique method of “tree hugging” (chipko in Hindi) to prevent contractors from felling trees. By physically embracing the trunks, they put their bodies between the axes and the forest.

Ecofeminist connection: The Chipko Movement showed how the oppression of women and the exploitation of nature are interconnected. The women’s intimate knowledge of their environment and their role in sustaining households made them natural leaders in ecological defense.

Impact: The movement not only saved thousands of trees but also influenced India’s forest policies and inspired global grassroots environmental action.

2. Green Belt Movement – Kenya

Founded in 1977 by Wangari Maathai, the Green Belt Movement sought to address deforestation, soil erosion, and water scarcity while empowering rural women economically.

The movement organized women’s groups to plant trees, restore degraded land, and conserve water sources. Women earned an income from nurturing seedlings, which strengthened both their economic independence and their role in community decision-making.

Ecofeminist connection: By linking environmental restoration with women’s empowerment, the Green Belt Movement embodied the ecofeminist vision of sustainable development rooted in gender equity.

Impact: Over 51 million trees have been planted across Kenya. The movement improved food security, restored biodiversity, and created a global model for integrating ecological conservation with social justice.

3. Climate Justice Campaigns – Global

Climate justice is a growing movement that centers equity in climate action. It recognizes that those least responsible for greenhouse gas emissions—such as Indigenous peoples, rural women, and low-income communities—are often the most vulnerable to climate impacts.

Women, especially in the Global South, face unique climate-related burdens: increased workloads due to resource scarcity, food insecurity, and the risk of displacement from rising seas and extreme weather. Climate justice campaigns advocate for policies that include these marginalized voices in climate negotiations and demand funding for adaptation and loss-and-damage compensation.

Ecofeminist connection: These campaigns highlight that climate change is not just an environmental issue but also a social one, rooted in systemic inequalities that ecofeminism seeks to dismantle.

Impact: From women-led anti-mining protests in the Philippines to Indigenous climate leadership in the Amazon, these campaigns are reshaping climate policy debates at local, national, and international levels.

Criticism and Challenges

Ecofeminism has faced critiques, such as:

1. Essentialism – The idea that women are “naturally” closer to nature, which some feminists reject as reinforcing gender stereotypes.

2. Cultural Differences – Theories developed in Western contexts may not fully address the realities of women in the Global South without adaptation.

Despite these debates, ecofeminism remains a powerful lens for uniting environmental and gender justice movements.

Relevance in the 21st Century

In the era of climate change, ecofeminism highlights that solutions must be inclusive, intersectional, and rooted in justice. This means fighting for:

1. Equal participation of women in environmental decision-making.

2. Sustainable agricultural and industrial practices.

3. Protection of Indigenous rights and ecological knowledge.

References

1. d’Eaubonne, Françoise. Le Féminisme ou la Mort. Paris, 1974.

2. Mies, Maria, and Vandana Shiva. Ecofeminism. London & New Jersey: Zed Books, 1993.

3. Warren, Karen J., ed. Ecofeminism: Women, Culture, Nature. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1997.

4. Shiva, Vandana. Staying Alive: Women, Ecology and Development. London: Zed Books, 1988.

5. Gaard, Greta. "Ecofeminism and Climate Change." Women’s Studies International Forum, vol. 29, no. 1, 2006, pp. 67–76.

FAQs on Ecofeminism

Q1: What is ecofeminism in simple words?
A: It’s the idea that the oppression of women and the destruction of the environment are connected and must be solved together.

Q2: How is ecofeminism different from environmentalism?
A: Environmentalism focuses on nature, while ecofeminism adds a gender lens, emphasizing social justice alongside ecological protection.

Q3: Who are some famous ecofeminists?
A: Vandana Shiva, Maria Mies, Françoise d’Eaubonne, Greta Gaard, Karen Warren.

Q4: Can men be ecofeminists?
A: Yes—ecofeminism is about values and actions, not gender identity.

Q5: Is ecofeminism only for rural women?

A: No—it’s relevant for anyone concerned with environmental and gender justice, whether in urban or rural areas.

Worksheet

Part A – Recall and Comprehension (Short Answer)

1. Where and when did the Chipko Movement originate?

2. What method did the Chipko protesters use to protect trees?

3. Who founded the Green Belt Movement and in which year?

4. Name two main goals of the Green Belt Movement.

5. What is meant by “climate justice”?

Part B – Concept Connections (Matching)

Match the movement to its description:

Movement	Description
A. Chipko Movement	1. Global advocacy for equitable climate policies, focusing on marginalized communities
B. Green Belt Movement	2. Women-led tree-hugging protests against commercial deforestation in the Himalayas
C. Climate Justice Campaigns	3. Tree planting and environmental restoration in Kenya, empowering rural women

Part C – Analysis (Short Paragraph)

6. Explain one way in which the Chipko Movement demonstrates ecofeminist principles.

7. How does the Green Belt Movement show that environmental restoration can also be a tool for women’s empowerment?

8. Give an example of a group or community currently active in climate justice advocacy and describe their work.

Part D – Critical Thinking (Essay / Long Answer)

9. Compare and contrast the Chipko Movement and the Green Belt Movement in terms of:

   • Leadership and participants

   • Environmental issues addressed

   • Long-term outcomes

10. “Climate change is not gender-neutral.” Discuss this statement using examples from Climate Justice Campaigns.

Part E – Creative Application

11. Imagine you are starting a local ecofeminist campaign in your community.  Create:  A name for your movement, Its main goals and One symbol or slogan that represents both gender equity and environmental care