Article by Mouna Ben Kaddour

Photo by Greenpeace

Nature is often personified as feminine in not only contemporary language but also in literature, mythology and many cultures. Terms like “Mother Earth” and “Mother Nature” show a sense of nurture, as often associated with women. This association raises an interesting question: is this symbolism and is it coincidental that women often lead environmental protests worldwide? Or is there a deeper reason behind it, that has to do with the identity and roles that women have within our societies?

Studies have shown that women are often more concerned than men about climate change. As MacGregor describes in her research, that is related to the fact that women often have a caregiving role in their communities and therefore firsthand experience the impact of climate change on their communities. For example, in the Global South, deforestation, air pollution and natural disasters can disrupt food and water supplies. While the men are often away for work, the women get the urge to fight back when their ability to take care of their families is threatened. An inspiring example is Nemonte Nemquio, an indigenous leader of the Waoroni people in Ecuador. She battled against the Ecuadorian government to stop oil extraction in the Amazon Rainforest. Her battle was successful and 500,000 acres of rainforest were protected from oil extraction due to her dedication. She has inspired other indigenous communities to protest for their environmental rights.

While women are overrepresented in the fight against environmental justice, the opposite is true in institutions where the decisions about climate policy are being made, as described in a study by Noth and Tonzer. This underlines an interesting paradox: women, who experience more of the consequences caused by climate change have less say in policies to change these consequences. This gap in representation reflects the ecofeminist view on the power structures shaping politics and environmental issues. As MacGregor discusses in her article, ecofeminism highlights the connection between the exploitation of nature and the oppression of women, suggesting that both are tied to a system of patriarchy. In this system, profit and control are prioritised over compassion and sustainability. These less prioritised traits that are often associated with femininity, are key to solving the current climate crisis.

From the ecofeminist perspective, women’s activism in environmental justice is not just about reversing the harm that is being done to the environment, it’s about reforming the patriarchal systems that allow it. However, it is also essential to view this through an intersectional lens. MacGregor argues that we must recognize how gender intersects with other aspects of our identities, such as class, race and ability. For women from Indigenous communities, like Nemonte Nemquio in Ecuador, climate activism often also means fighting for cultural survival and land rights. Their unique position as women in marginalised communities gives them specific roles and risks in this fight. Through this perspective we can understand why particularly women of colour and women from low-income communities are at the front line of environmental protests. They often experience the most severe impacts of climate change, while having the least to say in the decision-making process. This explains why they resort to protesting.

Getting women more involved in environmental policy would lead to more effective solutions to our problems. Studies have shown that diverse perspectives in policy making improve the decision-making processes and lead to a higher prioritisation of the well-being of communities. Women, who often experience the direct impact of climate change in their daily lives, bring valuable insights to the table. Their experiences and perspectives are necessary in shaping policies that address both environmental issues and social justice and equity. It is important that women are not confined to the role of protestors, advocating for their basic human rights. They should be empowered as decision-makers in the processes that shape their futures.

To build a sustainable future, we need more than individual actions and a restructuring of our decision-making systems that have so far disadvantaged certain groups and our environment. By learning from ecofeminist and intersectional perspectives, we can understand that solutions should address different forms of inequality. Let’s support the women on the frontlines, share their stories and advocate for better policies. Climate justice ultimately means that no one is left out, and achieving that requires collective action. Because while “Mother Earth” protects us, it is up to us to support her and all her defenders.

Related