ECO FEMINISM

International Journal of Environmental Pollution and Environmental Modelling, 2020

The scriptures and the early Church all pronounced upon women in almost exclusively masculine voice. Aristotelian philosophy deemed a woman to be 'inferior man' and this was corroborated by the interpretation of the creation of Eve as 'posterior et inferior' (last and lesser). Even in Medieval Europe there was a debate in which male writes attacked and defended women; the humanist writers of the Renaissance also showed the same trend. Ecofeminism is a twin concept encompassing both ecology and feminism. It is justified by saying that ecology or environment is closely associated with the female. The primary belief of ecofeminism is that the supremacy over women parallels the suppression of nature and that this mutual domination has led to environmental destruction by the controlling patriarchal society. This philosophy is based on the principle that there is a vital connection between the oppression of nature and women. Hence understanding these connections is necessary to understanding the two veins of oppression. Feminist theory must include an ecological perspective, and ecological problems must include a feminist perspective. Eco-feminists further argue that an environmental philosophy that fails to attend to these important links will be theoretically and practically deficient. The objective of the research is to explicate and examine with critically the objective of Ecofeminism. Ecofeminism is a twin concept of both ecology and feminine and as such being a forceful approach in environmental deserves considerable attention to modern environmentalists.

Creative Saplings, 2022

Ecofeminism is the missing link that connects woman and nature, while tracing out the patriarchal structures of exploitation and oppression. This paper searches for the origination of 'Ecofeminism' that lies somewhere in the fusion of 'Feminism' and 'Ecology.' While defining the concept of 'Feminism', it explores its different forms along with its chronological order through wave metaphor. Feminism nurtures the sapling of Ecofeminism, and with the passage of time, it turns into a tree that bears fruits of the various forms which can be viewed through different perspectives. It presents roots, routes and fruits that come out of 'Feminism' and 'Ecofeminism.' Knowing nature leads to knowing woman, and knowing woman, leads to knowing nature. The real emancipation lies in saving the earth and woman from exploitation and oppression.

International Journal of Early Childhood Special Education (INT-JECSE), 2022

The paper explores the intersection of environmental history and ecofeminism, focusing on how humans' interactions with the environment have shaped history. It highlights the profound influence of technological, intellectual, cultural, and social transformations on the natural world. Ecofeminism, as a philosophical movement, asserts that capitalist economies and patriarchal social structures harm both women and the environment, emphasizing their interconnectedness. Environmental history, although formally recognized as a subfield in the 1970s and 1980s, has been a topic of historical exploration throughout the history of historical writing. It has been shaped by both capitalist economic systems and the philosophical movement of Romanticism. Environmental historians have drawn from Marxist and Annals movements in their writing. Ecofeminism's origins are traced back to the writings of authors like Francoise d'Eaubonne, Vandana Siva, Maria Mies, and Carolyn Merchant. They argue that the exploitation of nature and the subjugation of women are interconnected. Carolyn Merchant's "The Death of Nature" and Vandana Siva's "Staying Alive" are key works in the development of ecofeminist thought. Environmental history examines the dynamic relationship between humans and the environment, while ecofeminism argues that women play a crucial role in environmental protection. Both perspectives suggest that women's interactions with nature are more balanced and sustainable. This philosophical movement has also influenced environmental history and serves as a social theory that informs historical writing. The paper delves into the connection between environmental movements and ecofeminism, highlighting how these movements are responses to human exploitation of nature. It discusses the role of women in these movements, emphasizing that they often bear the brunt of environmental degradation. The Chipko Movement and the Plachimada Struggle against Coca-Cola Company are presented as examples where women played significant roles in environmental activism. The authors argue that the planet is facing severe environmental challenges, and lessons from environmental history and ecofeminism can guide humanity through this period of environmental crisis. Ecofeminism offers models for sustainability, such as diversity in farming and traditional agriculture. It is also suggested that women's involvement in environmental movements is essential due to their direct experiences of environmental issues. These movements are seen as essential for fostering change and ensuring a sustainable future. Overall, the paper underscores the importance of considering the interconnectedness of women, nature, and the environment in understanding historical and contemporary environmental issues.

he Eastern Ghats, ENVIS, Newsletter, Environment protection Training And Research Institute, Vol.9, No.1, pp.7-8., 2003

Zbornik Matice srpske za drustvene nauke, 2014

Women and nature are connected in many different ways: with their biological status, reproductive role, discrimination. That is why ecofeminism stands for one of the main theoretical, philosophical and even practical ways of resolving the environmental problems. The representatives of this thinking find that changing positions and behaviors by leaving the patriarchal approach to everything-to the women and to the nature, can stop the degradation of the environment. Demographic significance of the women's role, in context of environmental changes, was represented by some feminist movements, as Chipko movement in India, Green Belt movement in Kenya, Love Canal in State of New York, etc. In this paper, the author gives a short overview of connections between women and nature, and proposes some new solutions.

The present paper is an attempt to focus on the main ideologies of Eco-criticism and Feminism and thereby analysing the various similarities. Eco-criticism and Techno criticism , Feminism and patriarchy are analysed in conjuction to binary opposites. The various divisions of ecology,the inter-dependence of man on nature and technology, food chain- food web as nature is considered to be the series of numerous cultural constructs which re-constructs the factor of the dominant and the suppressed. Feminism in its struggle for equality of rights and values against suppression carves an unique identity with other branches of criticism. The One-ness in the spheres of environment and Woman is analysed by the contradictory forces of the ‘one’ and the ‘other’

2008

Ecofeminism originated in political activism in the late 70s and 80s and only found its way into literary criticism in the 90s. Throughout human history, nature has constantly been feminized and women naturalized, particularly due to aspects of fertility and natural cycles. While some feminists reject this association of women and nature, others embraced the relationship between women and nature, based on the shared experience of oppression and domination. Ecofeminists highlight the conceptual connection between the domination of women and the domination of nature as being located in an oppressive and patriarchal conceptual framework characterized by a logic of domination. This round table pretends to analyze both ecofeminist literary theory and representative literary works. The panelists will discuss writers such as Ana Castillo, Alicia Gaspar de Alba and Octavia Butler. We will also show several photographs from the campaigns of the PETA organization and analyze them from an ecof...

2020

Ecofeminism is an interdisciplinary critical theory which claims that environmental and women's issues are interconnected because of the objectification of women and nature in a male-dominant society. According to this theory, the system forms a male-centred hierarchy and dualities, creating inequality in society and providing the superiority for men. On the other hand, the hierarchy and dualities are used to exert pressure on non-male beings and marginalize them. Thus, in the male-dominant hierarchical order dualities such as male/female, culture/nature, human/nature, white/black, unconscious/unconscious, logic/emotion, soul/body occur, and former dominates the latter. That is, in this order, man is superior to woman, culture is superior to nature, and logic is to emotion. Also, since the man is considered superior to the woman, all the superior features are attributed to the male and the inferior features are associated with the female. In this way, while man symbolizes culture, consciousness, logic and spirit, woman represents nature, unconsciousness, emotion and body. In this case, women and nature become close to each other in a male-dominant society and are similarly conceptualized. The main factor causing this bond is the ability of both nature and women to reproduce and create. For example, while women bring humans into the world, nature ensures the continuity of life on earth with natural resources. Another factor is that both of them have a passive role in society and are dependent. Women are pushed to live a domestic life and become passive due to their fertility. Women who cannot achieve their economic freedom become dependent on men. On the other hand, nature is not an active being intrinsically. Since nature cannot move and speak, it has a position that is dependent on humans. The bond between woman and nature naturalizes the fertility of women and feminizes the fruitfulness of nature. For example, the fact that the woman is closer to nature ensures that her reproducibility is perceived as a natural condition, and motherhood is portrayed as the woman's most natural duty. Besides, it is natural for women to be domestic because of their biological structure. Thus, the fact that women cannot acquire social identity and depend on men is normalied, and women exist as objects in society. On the other hand, nature stands out in the male-centred system with its productivity and generosity, just like a mother. Nature serves the patriarchal system with its renewable resources. Thus, the system perceives nature as an object that provides abundance, infinite resources and power. As a result, both women and nature are objectified and exploited in the masculine-dominated society. The system puts forward women's closeness with nature to exclude them from society. This study sheds light on how the male-centred hierarchy and dualities crush non-male beings while glorifying men; explains why nature and women are perceived closer to each other. The study also shows that this link by marginalizing them conceptualizes women and nature closely. Then in the study, the hierarchy of men/women, culture/nature and human/nature is exemplified by mentioning the narrative of Adam and Eve, and in this narrative, oppressive attitude towards women and nature is revealed. As a result, the study provides a broad perspective on ecofeminist theory, which advocates that environmental and women's issues are interrelated as they are treated the same in the male-centred society.