'What is Ecofeminism?

This article is about "What is ecofeminism?" and we will discuss the history, purpose of this philosophy movement and the issues concerned by the movement.

Simply put, eco feminists criticize patriarchy and argue that the domination of women and the degradation of the environment are consequences of patriarchy. Ecofeminism argues that the degradation of the environment and the social pressure on women are linked.

The concept of ecofeminism mainly focuses on the problems of women in patriarchal structures and the impact of environmental degradation on women. In other words, ecofeminism analyzes how environmental degradation and gender mainstreaming are linked. The concept of “ecofeminism” examines these two issues in a single context. Ecofeminism, as its name suggests, is a branch of feminist theory.

Degradation of the environment and feminism look like two completely separate issues at first glance, don’t they? Let's see how these two issues are connected!

What are the Issues Concerned by Ecofeminism?

In general, ecofeminism accuses patriarchal ideology of sexism and dominating the nature of the planet. Ecofeminism argues that environmental degradation is a feminist issue. The philosophy has the purpose of protecting societies and has the goal to stop further degradation of the environment.

The ecofeminism ideology perceives the environment and women in the patriarchal structure as subjects to be 'dominated'.

Ecofeminists focus on:

• Those oppress women and the environment,
• Epistemological issues related to women and the environment,
• Historical studies regarding men-women issue,
• Environmental domination and destruction,
• Racism and classism,
• Political, ideological and economic issues that oppress women.

Brief History of Ecofeminism

The term ecofeminism was coined by French feminist Françoise d’Eaubonne. The purpose of Françoise d'Eaubonne to coin such a term was to underline how women can participate in the ecological revolution.

The concept of "ecofeminism” was put forward as a branch of the feminist movement in academic circles in Europe and North America in the 1970s and linked problems such as the social oppression, subjugation and control of women to humanity's oppressive relationship with nature.

Since then, concepts describing the dominating role of humanity in its relationship with the environment have been used to express gender inequality better. Although the term initially established a broad link between women and nature, it evolved into a philosophical structure in the 1980s.

The basic principle of ecofeminism philosophy is related to the hierarchical mindset. While greater value is attributed to men, inferior (less value) is attributed to women. This mindset is the most crucial concept that ecofeminists seek to change.

Today, ecofeminism not only investigates the domination of women and the environment, but also criticizes and analyzes the prejudiced behavior of the opposite sex and offers solutions. Ecofeminism focuses on the relationship between gender and nature.

Critics to Ecofeminism

In the 80s, ecofeminism intrigued the environmental activists and art movements. By the end of the 90s, critics began to focus on the arguments that ecofeminism "could not fully address neither feminist nor environmental concerns". The concept was criticized for not addressing other significant factors such as race or class.

Ecofeminists, in particular, were criticized for oversimplifying complex hierarchical structures and forms of domination. However, ecofeminists have the purpose of creating an inclusive solidarity project between environmental and feminist movements and believe that both groups are fighting against the same framework of oppression.

The biggest criticism of ecofeminism is that it brings together two separate, multi-layered and difficult issues (women and the environment) on a single platform. Critics state that the idea of ecofeminism diminishes the issue of both the environment and women. We may have to give this criticism a thought. Why?

For example, on the contrary to ecofeminism, the 'intersectional feminism' movement, which has become more popular in recent years, argues that all social inequalities and dominations are intertwined and presents a multi-layered analysis. Let's give an example.

In France, a woman of French origin may have to deal with more social and economic problems than a French man. However, there are many intertwined obstacles in the life of an immigrant, Muslim, poor and disabled woman living in France. This is exactly what intersectionality means. Intersectionality argues that gender, class, race, and disability are not independent categories.

On the other hand, according to ecofeminism, the source of environmental degradation and the social roles of women are the same and the concept analyzes a multi-layered issue from a single point of view. However, we cannot deny that ecofeminist ideology also offers a unique and intriguing perspective! Let's delve into the issue further.

What is Radical Ecofeminism?

Radical ecofeminism equates natural resources and women. As “something to be taken, plundered, or used.” From the perspective of radical ecofeminism, women and nature are exploited by dominating patriarchal forces.

Activist Ynestra King notes, “We see the destruction of the land and its assets by corporate fighters and the threat of nuclear annihilation as feminist concerns. It is the masculine mentality that deprives us of our rights over our own bodies and sexuality and has multiple systems of domination to possess them.”

However, there is another perspective; “Cultural ecofeminism.”

What is Cultural Ecofeminism?

Cultural ecofeminism perspective encourages an association between women and the environment. They contend that women biology such as menstruation and pregnancy is associated uniquely with the environment and natural processes. Cultural ecofeminism assumes that women are in a better position to act against environmental degradation. The concept analyzes established patterns such as 'Mother Nature' and the relationship between women and the environment in terms of a cultural aspect.

However, the study titled "Ecofeminism: An Overview” by Yale University often criticizes cultural ecofeminism for not being a consistent ideology and for the gaps in the way it addresses the link between women and nature.

So, what is the purpose of the ecofeminist movement?

What is the Main Purpose of Ecofeminism?

One of the prominent goals of ecofeminists is to change the system’s relationship with women and the environment.

The main goal is to establish egalitarian communities rather than power hierarchies. Maria Mies and Vandana Shiva, two most famous ecofeminists, explain the issue in the foreword of their book ‘Ecofeminism’ published in 1993'

“Our aim is to go beyond this narrow perspective and to express our diversity and, in different ways, address the inherent inequalities in world structures which permit ... men to dominate women, and the frenetic plunder of ever more resources for ever more unequally distributed economic gain to dominate nature.”

In terms of environmental activism, the commonalities of race, class and gender oppression were analyzed, and ecofeminism has developed as a global movement. Encompassing a variety of approaches to thinking and acting about the environment, Ecofeminism recognizes a healthy ecology for women as a top priority.

Therefore, they defend the principle that "ecofeminism is essential for social peace and tranquility".

Why is it Important to Understand Ecofeminism?

We explained that the theory of ecofeminism analyzes the link between the oppression of women and the exploitation of the environment. In other words, ecofeminism calls on all of us to look at the world from the perspective of gender inequality and the environment. The theory assumes that the oppression of women and the degradation of the natural environment is closely interlinked.

Moreover, ecofeminism argues that the ecological crisis we experience today stems from the same system of power and exploitation that marginalizes and oppresses women. Ecofeminism is based on respect for all living things. Furthermore, the concept reveals a new path of thinking regarding the environment, based on justice, and advocates the movement of ecological transformation.​

Whatever you defend, ecofeminism offers a unique feminist perspective on the relationship between gender and environmental issues. The concept adds a multi-layered perspective to women’s problems.