Ecofeminist

Ecofeminism is a movement and theoretical framework that examines connections between the domination of women and the exploitation of the environment, arguing that patriarchal social structures contribute to both forms of domination. Ecofeminists are those who apply these ideas in activism, scholarship, and community organizing. The term ecofeminism was popularized in the 1970s, with the French activist Françoise d'Eaubonne coining the concept as a critique of patriarchy and its impact on nature; later scholars broadened it to encompass diverse traditions, including social justice, animal rights, and indigenous knowledge.

Ecofeminists analyze how cultural dualisms—such as mind vs. body, culture vs. nature, human vs. animal—underpin systems of oppression and environmental degradation. Key tenets include the ethical value of care, relational thinking, and ecological justice that links gender equality with sustainable practices. Some strands emphasize spirituality or myth as sources of empowerment, while others focus on materialist critiques of capitalism, patriarchy, and colonialism. The field has multiple strands, from radical critiques of domination to reformist approaches seeking practical environmental reforms and community resilience.

Prominent contributors include Val Plumwood, Carolyn Merchant, and Starhawk in the US context, and Greta Gaard, among others. Indigenous and postcolonial ecofeminists have highlighted the interconnections between gender oppression, environmental injustice, and colonial legacies, advocating for inclusive, participatory approaches to environmental governance.

Critiques of ecofeminism involve accusations of essentialism about women’s affinity with nature and cultural essentialisms; contemporary debates stress intersectionality, global south perspectives, and avoiding universalizing claims about gender and nature.