Ecofeminism and Sustainable Development

The brutalization and oppression of women is connected with the hatred of nature and with other forms of domination, and with ecological catastrophe. It is significant that feminism and ecology as social movements have emerged now as nature's revolt against domination plays itself out in human history and non-human nature at the same time.
(Ynestra King pp. 124-5).

The term "ecofeminism" was coined in 1974 by a French feminist, Francoise d'Eaubonne, gaining momentum as an ideology in the late seventies as both the feminist and ecology movements grew. Like feminism itself, ecofeminism is a diverse ideology containing contradictory viewpoints. The common thread that unifies these viewpoints is the idea that there are connections between the domination of nature and the domination of women in contemporary society. Ecofeminists believe that an exploration and understanding of these connections is necessary to end these - and other - forms of oppression. Of course, the "whys" and "hows" are where differences occur.

One major strand of ecofeminist thinking critiques the dualist nature of Western intellectual discourse. Traditionally, dualisms of culture/nature, man/woman, reason/emotion, conceptualized as opposing pairs, have dominated this discourse. Through these dualisms women have been associated with nature and emotion; this "half" of the dualist pair has been devalued while man-culture-reason has been given a superior position. Ecofeminists who argue in this vein seek to revalue women and nature, and "feminine" values such as nurturing and care giving typically associated with both women and nature.

Ecofeminists may also critique the "disconnected sense of self" which dominates modern culture. They argue that men, whether because of biology or social learning, tend to view the world in terms of separateness and "other". Instead of acknowledging the interdependence of the ecosystem, the male-dominated culture views nature and the earth as a mechanical object that can, and should be, manipulated and controlled. Women are also viewed as "other" and thus are also subject to manipulation and control. The interdependence of all life, humanity's role as part of the earth's ecosystem, and the non-hierarchical nature of a system in which all parts affect each other are emphasized to counteract relationships dominated by values of control and oppression.

A criticism that is often directed at ecofeminists is that they have fallen into the trap of essentializing women's nature, as ecofeminists like Petra Kelly claim that women's biology gives them a unique relationship with nature. A desire to revalue the feminine may result in all women being equated with characteristics of nurturing and fertility while denying that men can possess these traits. In this equation, biology is destiny: men are always the destroyers of the environment, and women always earth's saviors.

However, Katherine Davies and other ecofeminists have argued that the bond between women and nature is real, but socially created. While revaluing this bond is important, she also emphasizes the need to revalue relationships between men and women and between men and nature. She affirms an equal potential for men to adopt earth-friendly practices and values.

A diversity in ecofeminist theory is paralleled by a diversity in action. Ecofeminists envision a huge variety of actions necessary to create non-oppressive relationships between men, women, and nature. Art shows, goddess worship, conferences, changing laws and regulations, rituals, myths and political inclusiveness are all part of this ecofeminist project. However, ecofeminism also lies at the level of the individual, as people revision relationships between men, women and nature as relationships of interdependence and equality.

 

Sources:

Birkland, Janis. "Ecofeminism: linking theory and practice," in Greta Gaard (ed.) Ecofeminism: Women, Animals, Nature.
(Philadelphia: Temple University Press), 1993.

Davies, Katherine. "What is Ecofeminism?" Women and Environments. Vol. 10 (Spring 1988) pp. 4-6.

King, Ynestra. "Toward an Ecological Feminism and a Feminist Ecology," in Judith Plant (ed.) Healing the Wounds: The Promise of Ecofeminism. (London: Green Print), 1983.

Mellor, Mary. Breaking the Boundaries: Towards a Feminist Green Socialism. (London: Virago Press Ltd.), 1992.

Merchant, Carolyn. Radical Ecology: The Search for a Livable World.
(New York: Routledge), 1992.

Prentice, Susan. "Taking Sides: What's Wrong with Eco-feminism?" Women and Environments. Vol. 10 (Spring 1988), pp. 9-10.

© 1997 - TG Magazine / The Students Commission
© 1997 le magazine TG / la Commission des étudiants