The first person who opened my eyes to Ecofeminism was my therapist.
That’s right. I do therapy. And I think you should do it too. In fact, I think everyone in the world should do therapy! Did I choose to do it because I was feeling sad or lost? NO! But it certainly helped me determine and pursue my life’s purpose – which brings me back to… Ecofeminism!
She asked me once:
– Ana, so you wish to develop your academic career in the environmental field and a you have a burning desire to work with women, is that right?
– Yes, that is pretty much the story of my life
– Have you ever considered Ecofeminism?
-…!!! OMG sh*t yeah!
That managed to join and add a label to what was already my passion and purpose in life!
I am an environmentalist. I am a feminist. And I love Vandana Shiva (my role model lol). How could I have never considered that?
Long story short, I am no expert in ecofeminism, but I simply think it is the best darn movement in the world and I want to share it here with you and learn from you. Because, hey, this is an ever-evolving space where we share, learn and grow together!
So… for those of you who’re curious to finally get a formal definition, here it is:
“Ecofeminism is a feminist approach to understanding ecology.”
… and…
“Ecofeminists draw on the concept of gender to theorize on the relationship between humans and the natural world.”
Ecofeminism argues that the oppression of nature and the oppression of women are connected, in a way that both are seen as property to be dominated and exploited.
Ecofeminism attributes the oppression of female and nonhuman bodies to the oppression, domination, exploitation and colonization perpetrated by the capitalist and patriarchal society.
Ecofeminists believe that the root cause of our planetary ills is the separation between nature and culture. This is attributed to capitalism’s intrinsic need for the exploitation and instrumentalization of animals, earth and people for the sole purpose of creating wealth and power.
Vandana Shiva (<3) says that the capitalist reductionist paradigm “fails to perceive the interconnectedness of nature, or the connection of women’s lives, work and knowledge with the creation of wealth.”
This way, Ecofeminism connects gender, ethnicity, class and environmental issues. It includes marginalized groups in the discussion and activist circles.
As an Ecofeminist (may I call myself that already? :D) I want to produce and share knowledge on global feminist environmental justice and questions of gender and the environment.
Now I’d love to hear from you! What is your perspective on “Ecofeminism”?