“Ecofeminism”: when gender and ecology converge

Environmental issues and struggles for gender equality are topics that come together around one theme: urgency. In this context, the term “ecofeminism” emerges as a beacon at the intersection of these crucial struggles..

In the 1970s, the rise of feminism caused the term to emerge in France, as environmental movements arose. How did these struggles for gender equality and nature preservation naturally come together?

What is “ecofeminism”?

Today “ecofeminism” is everywhere. The term is used in politics, can be found in bookstores and in feminist debates. Made popular by feminist and writer Françoise d’Eaubonne, the word appeared in France in 1974, in his essay entitled “Feminism or Death”.

Co-founder of the FML movement (Women’s Liberation Movement), is convinced that feminism, ecology and class struggle must be brought together on the same front. To do this we must depose the patriarchy that exploits nature and oppresses women.

The term “ecofeminism” is fluid and constantly evolving. It is devoid of a rigid ideology, except for its call to reinvent the current system. “Ecofeminism” attacks two forms of exploitation: that of women by men and that of nature by human beings. As described by Jeanne Burgart-Goutal, author of “Being an Ecofeminist: Theories and Practices,” it is often described as a “happy mess.” Lighting.

What is the link between ecology and feminism?

If feminist movements developed in France in the 1970s, it was in 1972 that a real awareness of the climate took shape, with the first United Nations Conference on the Environment organized by the United Nations in Stockholm and which already prefigured what will be COPs – the first will take place in Berlin in 1995.

The bond between women and nature is not innate, but more a consequence driven by the gender roles they have been assigned in society where they are most concerned with environmental issues. In Radio France’s podcast on “ecofeminism”, journalist Jeanne Burgart Goutal explains to us that it is more than a convergence of struggles.

“In ecofeminism there is one more step that has been taken. It is the idea that these are not separate struggles that are brought together in a somewhat artificial way, but that in fact all of these struggles are already fundamentally convergent or already connected.”

Jeanne Burgart Goutal, journalist and author of “Being an ecofeminist: theories and practices”

These struggles try to understand how domination based on gender, race, classas well as dominion over nature, they are all connected in the same system, as interconnected parts of a greater whole.

“The idea of ​​combining these two struggles was above all to gain efficiency, to work on patriarchal systems of oppression.”

Solène Ducretot, activist and image reporter, in an interview with 20 minutes.

Is ecology a women’s struggle?

Even if they are the first victims of the effects of climate change, ecology should not don’t be a fight reserved for women, even if they play a crucial role in this struggle and in the current social construction. According to CARE France, for example, on the African continent women produce around 70% of the food.

Due to climate changes (droughts, cyclones, floods), their workload has also increased. They have to travel longer distances to carry out tasks such as fetching water or wood, and they have to work harder to try to cope with declining agricultural yields.

It’s a vicious circleAlthough they farm the land, they own less than 1% of the world’s land, according to an article in The Good Goods. This is why the CARE France association supports women farmers from all over the world, such as in Madagascar, Vietnam or Ecuador, to defend their rights and have access to the same tools, training and practices as men. CARE helps them use sustainable agricultural production methods that are environmentally friendly and more resistant to climate impacts.

Women are even more affected by the consequences of climate change and environmental degradation due to gender inequalities. Climate change is sexist.

“The global climate crisis hits hardest the populations least responsible for greenhouse gas emissions, and first and foremost women who already face numerous sexist discrimination. »

CURE France

“Global warming is a double punishment for women,” according to Fanny Petitbon, head of the advocacy department of the NGO CARE France.

“When he acts as a predator, man behaves towards women as towards nature,” explains Marie Christina Kolo, climate activist, ecofeminist and social entrepreneur from Malagasy. He is one of the emblematic figures in the fight against climate change.

Thanks to freedom of speech on ecofeminist topics like #Metoo or climate marches, ecology and feminism occupy an increasingly important place in political debates. This social struggle concerns everyone, even if many men are afraid to define themselves as feminists, and scares some masculinists.

To join the ecofeminist movement, CARE France helps you convey the testimonies of women who need to be heard, you can find them and help them on their page.