ECOFEMINISM: AN IDEA CAN CHANGE THE WORLD
The word “écoféminisme” was first used in 1974 by the French activist Françoise d’Eaubonne in the essay “Le féminisme ou la mort”. The main goal of ecofeminism is to find a meeting point between the protection of women’s rights and the protection of the environment.
THE CURRENT PICTURE: INEQUALITIES AND CLIMATE CRISIS
Gender inequalities are still rooted in the economic and social dimensions, especially in the labour market. Women continue to be over-represented in the lowest-paid jobs and under-represented in higher decision-making levels.
In addition, the scientific community is confirming that human activities are the major motivation of the climate crisis, in particular of the growth of Greenhouse Gases released into the atmosphere.
Globally, confirming the relevance of these issues, the UN has unanimously adopted the 2030 AGENDA for sustainable development which places among its primary objectives the achievement of gender equality and the fight against climate change.
WHY IS ECOFEMINISM SO UP-TO-DATE?
Ecofeminism is revolutionary because it includes both elements of the feminist movement and the green movement, posing challenges on both fronts. On the one hand, it achieves to remove gender prejudices, on the other hand it wants to enhance the protection of ecosystems.
This idea overcomes the main limit of feminist movements and “traditional” environmental movements that do not identify the deep connection that exists between feminism and ecological dimensions.
According to the ecofeminist movement, the patriarchal structure of our society is the main cause of the affirmation of a logic based on male domination and prevarication. Capitalism then empowered the difference between productive and reproductive labor. The first one, assigned to men, is the only one that is recognized and that can be paid. The reproductive and care work, assigned to women, is not worthy of remuneration. This generated a strong devaluation of the role of women, increasing gender inequalities. From the environmental point of view, the same logic of domination led to a reckless exploitation of natural resources causing disadvantages for territories and ecosystems. The capitalist-patriarchal system has affected women and the planet in the same way.
In this scenario, ecofeminism represents an anti-sexist and anti-elitist proposal oriented to change the current relations of domination, towards the creation of a more equitable and inclusive society, but also more attentive to the care of the planet.
THERE IS NO EQUALITY WITHOUT ECOLOGY (and vice-versa)
Solène Ducrétot, journalist and activist, in the article “Ecofeminism: We fight for a world in which women are no longer victims, but protagonists of change”, asks to the readers:
- What is the point of fighting for equality between women and men, if none of them can live on this Planet?
- Conversely, what is the point of fighting to save the planet putting aside half part of the population?
The patriarchal and pyramidal system must be replaced with a circular model, where everyone has its place in society and in the world.
Prof. Concetta Parrinello, Dr. Barbara Bombaci, Dr. Susanna Cappuccio, Dr. Michele Crisafulli, Dr. Laura Natalia Anna Testa
