Ecological feminism, also known as ecofeminism, refers to the theory that ecological and feminist concerns are interrelated while being considered as the consequences of the patriarchal structure. This is advocated and acknowledged with the aim of promoting respect for both nature and women.
Relationship between “eco” and “feminism”
The term “ecofeminism” was first coined by the French writer Françoise d'Eaubonne in her book Le Féminisme ou la Mort in 1974. She suggests that women and ecological conservation are deeply linked. According to the United Nations, the risk of death for women is 14 times higher when a natural disaster strikes. During that period of time, women hold less wealth and inevitably face different kinds of oppression and unfairness due to the patriarchal society. Unlike most men, women’s daily lives heavily depend on natural resources, for instance, land and forests. They are more vulnerable to environmental concerns such as deforestation and climate crisis. Hence they protest collectively to protect the community. Typical examples of ecofeminist movements include the Chipko Andolan movement in India and the Green Belt movement in Kenya in the 1970s.
Types of ecofeminism
Most contend to classify ecofeminism into vegetarian ecofeminism, spiritual ecofeminism and materialist ecofeminism. Vegetarian ecofeminists believe that the habit of meat-eating is a form of male domination with the access to exploit and kill animals; Spiritual ecofeminists recognize the Earth is alive, encouraging the practice of “earth-based spiritualities” to celebrate the interconnection of mind and nature; Materialist ecofeminists view capitalism as domination over women hence seek to eliminate social hierarchies.
Criticism
The major criticism of ecofeminism is whether the notion of equating women with nature will further the dichotomy of gender norms that feminists sought to eliminate, or even revive with female domination.
The Bottom Line
As nature and women are closely related, ecofeminism is therefore a movement that responds to the double crisis - the climate crisis and gender inequality - by deconstructing our current model.
References
Writer: Kelly Wong
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