Essay Sample: What Is Ecofeminism?

Just as the name suggest, ecofeminism is a noun that is formed by linking of two different words; ecology and feminism are the building blocks of ecofeminism. It is from his two words that the name ecofeminism gets its definition. Ecofeminism is, therefore, described as the movements that link feminism with ecology. Ideally, ecofeminism is more of a movement or rather ideology than it is a noun. It presupposes that the paternalistic society in the modern world has led to the division witnessed in nature and culture. The ecofeminist movement is aimed at the elimination of injustices of all kinds and not only in women and their surrounding environment. The term ecofeminism was an idea of one writer from France. Ecofeminism tries to address or rather air out all sorts of discrimination that takes place in different subordinate groups that exist in the world today for example children, poor people and those that are racially discriminated (Sturgeon). The groups mentioned above, women inclusive, have been subjected to oppression, discrimination and torture in the recent past and the women that from or rather spearhead the ecofeminism group thought it wise to have a turnover in the way events occur and initiate for change. The historical background, theorists, concepts and major critiques of this topic ecofeminism are going to be discussed in depth due to their importance in the world today.

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The term ecofeminism was initiated or rather invented in the year 1970. The invention followed the participation of most women in projects that involved conservation of the world as well as the preservation of what nature had to offer. Such projects are what brought the spirit of unity and realization amongst the women hence leading to the formalization of the movement into an official sect. It is then believed that the hard work and the determination that the women displayed in the conservation works are what led to the formalization of the ecofeminism in the much later centuries. In India, some time back in 1970, a section of women firmly took part in the demonstration against the deforestation that was set to take place hence proved that the movement was still substantial (Phillips 446). In New York, some ecofeminist led protests against their neighbors who had their houses built on top of compost sites, and the decay was a possible health threat to the children. Such actions prove that the movement started some time back and has been in existence for a long time now. Ever since 1990s to the present world today, ecofeminism has faced nothing but a stream of criticism from all corners including male counterparts. The different criticism is bound for discussion in the subsequent paragraphs.

One good example of the major criticism that the group or rather movement faced was that they were compelled to follow strict rules that governed dichotomy between the female and their male counterparts. Proponents of this criticism argued that dichotomy that exists between men and women and nature and culture has led to the creation or rather establishment of dualism that is too keen and focused on the differences that exist between women. In addition to that, another example of the criticism that women faced was that they had a more of a different view when participating in activities that are of oppressive structures. Ideally, this means that women who took part in the ecofeminism movement had a different perspective with which they viewed issues (Phillips et al. 10). For instance, instead of having to struggle for other women to get to certain positions in the society, the movement was against that and the aimed at dismantling these posts for women. This is something that is very unfamiliar with other women steered group that exists. Indeed, the ecofeminism has faced some criticism from different institutions in the world, but the two mentioned above have proven to be the primary forms of criticism it had ever faced before.

The ecofeminism movement is one of the many examples of non-profiting organizations in the world. The aim of the movement is not to go after the money but the equality in the treatment of each and every individual in the society, the move for equality for all is in addition to the conservation and preservation of the beauty nature has to offer. The movement also has a perspective that the modern technology is a greater reflection of the values of the western men (Warren). Those that are concerned with the movement argue that it is mostly the male population that is involved significantly in the determination of what is scientific and it goes to the extent that the identification of this is made by men. Another common concept of ecofeminism is materialized as a theme or rather concept in the broader ecofeminism. The materialist idea in ecofeminism movement presupposes that the presence of institutions such as labor, poverty, and power is the primary cause of the domination over women that is being experienced. There are connections between the systems mentioned above since they also vary regarding value when it comes to production and reproduction.

Notably, some individuals are associated with the running of the movement that is referred to as ecofeminism. Most of them if not all are women and their works or rather professions have ben of major importance to the operations of the ecofeminism movement (Levit et al.). For instance, Karen Warren. Karen was an ecofeminist scholar in Australia. She is recognized for her great inspiring talks on environment issues, female related matters peace studies, and critical thinking skills. That aside, there is Francoise d'Eaubonne who during her time, called for all the women in the world to organize for ecological revolutions in a bid to save the planet. She also championed for the revolution of gender relations as well as the natural relations with the natural world. Another famous individual who was known or rather recognized for participation in the ecofeminist movement is Sallie McFague. She is renowned for having used the metaphor of refereeing to the body as the temple of God when she meant the whole universe. The metaphor summarizes her idea of independence and mutualism in relations among all living beings. The other example of the theorists that were related to the ecofeminism movement is Vandana Shiva who was amongst the people that protested against deforestation. She advocated for nonviolent means to be employed during the protests. Maria Mies is another theorist that took part in the radicalization of the ecofeminism movement. She is of German native, and she participates in social criticism. She for a better part of her lies been involved with feminist work throughout Europe and India. She specializes on the institutions of patriarchy, poverty and environmental studies on a larger (global) scale.

Ecofeminism is a movement that majorly talks of women who participate in ensuring that there us equity for all (Adams et al.). They opposed depression of certain less dominant groups in the society. Just as seen in the text above, ecofeminism has a long history, and it can be traced back to up to 1970 when it was initiated. Then, the group had its main focal point as conservation of the environment and other nature affiliates. For instance, back in those days, the women who formed the movement were mainly participating in protests against deforestation. However, as the group kept on advancing, it broadened the objective scope and included championing for human right equality as one of its objectives. Like any other group that fights for the rights of certain people in the society, the ecofeminist movement has faced numerous criticism from other institutions and movements that have different objectives as it does. The movement can be related to some theorists who has been seen to be in support of motion since long ago. Indeed, the ecofeminist movement is a good example of an action that needs to be backed up by all in the society as it champions for issues that are of great importance in the modern world.

Works Cited

Adams, Carol J., and Lori Gruen. "Ecofeminism." New York: Bloomsbury (2014).

Phillips, Mary. "ReWriting Corporate Environmentalism: Ecofeminism, Corporeality and the Language of Feeling." Gender, Work & Organization 21.5 (2014): 443-458.

Warren, Karen. Ecofeminist philosophy: A western perspective on what it is and why it matters. Rowman & Littlefield, 2014.

Parks, Cecily. "Fallen Forests: Emotion, Embodiment, and Ethics in American Women's Environmental Writing, 17811924 by Karen L. Kilcup (review)." Legacy: A Journal of American Women Writers 31.2 (2014): 337-339.

Phillips, Mary, and Nick Rumens. "Introducing contemporary ecofeminism." (2016): 1-16.

Sturgeon, Noel. Ecofeminist natures: Race, gender, feminist theory and political action. Routledge, 2016.

Levit, Nancy, Robert RM Verchick, and Martha Minow. Feminist legal theory: a primer. NYU Press, 2016.