Ecofeminism – The augmented reality of ecology

The overwhelming evidence of the IPBES Global Assessment, from an extensive range of various fields of information, affords an ominous image,” stated IPBES Chair, Sir Robert Watson. “The health of ecosystems on which we and all different species depend is deteriorating extra rapidly than ever. We are eroding the very foundations of our economies, livelihoods, meals safety, fitness, and the best of lifestyles internationally. The trade-off between the existence of humans and nature can reside amicably if we chose to create a balance between the two. Statistics show that natural habitats that bind the very foundation of our ominous ecosystem are getting disrupted because of human whereabouts. The balance can be achieved through ecofeminism. Let’s dive into the crux of ecofeminism.

What is ecofeminism?

Eco-feminism is a term coined by Françoise d’Eaubonne in 1974. Ecofeminism is a framework for augmenting the relationship between holistic groups of women from different racial backgrounds, classes, stratus, countries and religions, and the environment. It is a tenant of feminism that presents a fresh outlook toward a non-binary, non-stereotypical and organic environment. Nature and women have always been related and interconnected to one another. Nature is also referred to as mother earth and fertile which are interchangeably used for women as well.

Ecofeminism is also known as a theoretical framework that connects, woman and nature. On the contrary, ecofeminism is more than just a mere theory, it is a radical solution to a lot of problems.

Theories coinciding Ecofeminism The core of Eco Feminism revolves around two theories.

1)Value Hierarchal thinking- This theory classifies cultures into a hierarchy and places them into a social culture triangle. Simply classifying as assigning greater value to what is above in the triangle and lesser value to what’s below. Canonical theory accordingly states women to below and men to be on the top, similarly culture up and nature down. Ecofeminism asserts the equality and coexistence of men and women and nature and culture in the value of hierarchal thinking. This brings us to our next theory which is

2)Oppositional Dualisms. Oppositional dualisms are a way of understanding urban, local, and gender binaries. It is the method through which we can understand the relationship between beings of duality. For example. Men and women exist in gender binaries, where they are considered completely different from each other. Men are expected to exude qualities of machismo, nonchalance, and strength. Women on the other hand are expected to exude qualities of endurance, gentleness, and homeliness. If we view it from the perspective of a gender binary, men and women can never be two sides of the same coin.

But oppositional dualisms stand by the notion of viewing gender as a spectrum. The spectrum of masculinity and femininity is where both can exist together in equality. Similarly, humans and nature are another opposite of dualism.

The intricacies of eco-feminism reside within the syllables of language. for example, nature and woman are both referred to as fertile and earth. Both are to be plundered, extracted, and tormented. The oppositional and hierarchal theories together constitute to form one notion – “if the woman is oppressed and mistreated, nature will lead on to the verge of destruction.

History of ecofeminism

During the war between USA and USSR in the 1950s, there were nuclear attacks all over the world, and this led to a surge in the development of cancer. 13 years later, a group of 15,000 women arranged a peace drive and gathered together in Washington in 1963 and vowed to stop the nuclear war. What followed was unfathomable! The woman went and marched. All of them talked to the marshals and they persuaded the senators to put a partial ban treaty in 1963. It denotes that when women demand peace, peace resides overall.

Criticism over Ecofeminism

A professor at Michigan and a critic of Ecofeminism states that it lacks analysis of race, class, and culture. Ecofeminism today practically conforms to a reform led by an only white woman. Another critic Taylor quoted that Ecofeminism has left out the intersectional framework because ecofeminists tend to focus more on nature and less on the woman. The problem with ecofeminism is that it eliminates all the other factors that affect the status of women in society such as racism, ableism, and other methods of domination.

Conclusion

Humans are the most powerful beings bound by strings of mortality, and nature is the beholder of immortality. The confinement of man is within the immortal nature. Nature is the supreme power that is the essence of the existence of the earth. But it is also the truth, rather the harsh truth that nature is endangered in its home, where humans are succeeding in their endeavors with industrialization and globalization.

Ecofeminism is the need of the hour, it needs to be implemented in our ecological reforms. It can help the world view woman and nature through a news lens void of misogyny and destruction. To augment our reality, save our earth, and usher dignity to a woman that they deserve, ecofeminism is the way forward. _

Hridya Sharma