Month: March 2025

Ecofeminism is a political and intellectual act that involves both feminism and environmentalism that connects the exploitation of nature and the oppression of women. Ecofeminism explores the relationship between the loss of hope for the environment and the oppression of women. In the text it says “Oppression of the natural world and of women by patriarchal power structures must be examined together or neither can be confronted fully.”(Hobgood-Oster 1). This quote is important because it explains societal structures that influence both the natural world and women’s experiences.This perspective shows the interconnectedness of all forms of life and how many social inequalities connect with environmental issues, which can be referred to as the “web” of life.  Ecofeminism argues that women andnature come from similar values that  reflect a worldview that devalues the feminine and the natural. One of the main things of ecofeminism is its relationship to intersectionality. Intersectionality is a term that shows us viewers how different forms of discrimination like race, gender, class, and sexuality connect with one another. In the text it says “ In the nineteenth century, women of color were associated with nature, uncontrolled passion, and promiscuity…Here within the privileged space of the white male gaze is a layered black subject who is at once socially inferior to a naked prostitute, for whom she is a servant, and yet a sexual signifier” (Adams p16) The quote shows what women of color went through in the nineteenth century, women of color were looked at differently than white women. While white women were viewed as gold, women of color faced stereotypes of being overly sexualized which dehumanized them and restricted their social status. This shows the historical views on women of color that still influences their experiences and lives now while also reflecting on the complexities they face in society. In order for us viewers to fully understand and address ecological problems it is important to look into how social injustices are interconnected. For example, women and marginalized groups often face a big part of environmental destruction because these communities are mainly affected by climate change or pollution. Womenin developing countries are disproportionately impacted by environmental degradation, affecting their health, livelihoods, and access to resources. In the text it says “ they should not be made a vehicle of traffic for the exploitation of others. Their monopolization by any country, nation or group of persons would be unjust. The neglect of this simple principle is the cause of the destitution that we witness today not only in this unhappy land but in other parts of the world too.”(Navdanya 2019) This is important because it shows the importance of not allowing resources or opportunities to be exploited by a specific group at the cost of others lives. From an ecological perspective the exploitation of resources impacts the environment – when countries and businesses prioritize profit instead of sustainable practices they help damage the environment and cause deforestation, pollution, and the use of natural resources. This destruction can lead to loss of biodiversity, climate change, and effects on health and communities.

Carol J. Adams (2010) “The Politics of Carol J. Adams.” Antennae, Autumn, pp. 12-24.

Hobgood-Oster, Laura. (2010) “Ecofeminism: Historic and International Evolution.” The Encyclopedia of Religion and Nature edited by Bron Taylor; Southwestern University, Georgetown, Texas.

Our vision. Navdanya. (n.a.). https://www.navdanya.org/component/content/article?id=620 

In the reading “GENDER EQUALITY AND STATE ENVIRONMENTALISM” by Norgaard and York they explain the important research on gender equality and state environmentalism that shows the connections between societal structures of gender and environmental policies. They give us an important view into how gender dynamics have a part in environmental governance and policymaking, while also showing the need for a more open understanding to these issues that address climate change. One of the main arguments by Norgaard and York is that gender equality is important for developing and implementing successful environmental policies. In the text it says “ This research indicates that women are more likely than men to express support for environmental protection and that women consider a variety of environmental risks, from nuclear power to toxic substances, to be more serious than do men.” (Norgaard and York 508) For many years it has been shown that women often prioritize environmental issues more than men do. The quote is important because it shows gender equality in environmental policy while also giving us a view into women’s perspectives and experiences into environmental negotiations that can lead to more effective policies. As societies are becoming more aware of highly important environmental issues, like climate change, pollution, and resource depletion, acknowledging different viewpoints can be very useful in policy making.

Making the Connections: Women’s Health and Environmental Justice – ProQuest

Women in government, environment, and corruption – ScienceDirect

Silliman’s article gives us a better understanding of how environmental factors mainly impact women’s health. The article’s main point is to show how environmental degradation disproportionately affects women, mainly those in marginalized communities. In the text it says “Its promotion and usage and the subsequent damage it inflicted on women’s health and fertility demonstrated the lack of research, regulation and safety considerations given to women’s health.”(Silliman 1997 ) This is important because women often are exposed to toxic waste due to them also being caregivers and head of households. This connection shows how issues of environmental justice are also issues of gender equity.

DiRienzo and Das research shows that more female representation in government with lower levels of corruption can create a more effective environmental policy. By adding women’s perspectives in environmental governance, policymakers can create strategies that not only help marginalized groups but also can address broader environmental challenges. In the text it says “ that a greater percentage of women in positions of political power improves environmental outcomes through both the absolute, overarching effect and the indirect effect; however, the indirect effect is the stronger of the two effects.”(DiRienzo and Das 2019) This is important because it shows that having more women in political positions can lead to better environmental results. The direct effect can show that women in power prioritize environmental issues more than their male associates. Both articles connect to Norgaard and York’s main thesis because they all have common themes that have to do with the nature of injustice. They show the importance of addressing the root causes of environmental degradation by considering who is affected and who holds power. 

I chose this image titled “why aren’t more women in top business positions?” because the questions asked to have to do with women not upholding the same qualities as men and vice versa. Statistically, women remain lower in leadership roles compared to their male figures. The statistics in the image show men being lower due to the gender specific question being asked. This statistic shows the connection between women in political power and state environmentalism, mainly pointing out that women do not have the same qualities as men when it comes to leadership. 

DiRienzo, C. and Das, J. (2019) Women in government, environment, and corruption. Environmental Development. Volume 30. Pages 103-113. ISSN 2211-4645. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envdev.2019.04.006.

Norgaard, K., & York, R. (2005). Gender equality and state environmentalism. Gender & Society, 19(4), 506–522. https://doi.org/10.1177/0891243204273612 

Silliman, J. (1997). Making the connections: Women’s health and environmental justice. Race, Gender & Class, 5(1), 104. Retrieved from https://www.libproxy.umassd.edu/login?

 

 

The three photos of a turkey with a bikini top tan line, an angry momma pig with her babies nursing, and an image that shows a big with heels and booty shorts with the background “best butts in Georgia” shows us a complex connection between the objectification and sexualization of both women and animals. These images show us societal attitudes toward bodies whether they belong to humans or animals and reveal a disturbing imagine framing these bodies within contexts that highlights our overall problem within the women community. Objectification is when physical properties sometimes disregard someone real purpose and value. The photo of the turkey wearing a bikini top show that the animal is a thing created for visual appearance and entertainment. Like the photo of the pig nursing her babies shows her stressing her reproductive system and also how she supports the babies by nurturing them. These show common societal tendencies to perceive women and animals mostly by physicality more than to appreciate them for what they do. 

Sexualization also connects to these issues – the image of a big women / pig wearing shorts and heels with the messaging that point out her body, shows how societal norms often point of obvious appearances. These images proves that women are much like the animals that are frequently valued for their bodies rather than their intellect or individuality. The “consumer” is those who are creating these views through engagement with such images. Women and animals turn into the ” consumed” objects of a society that frequently values them based on their looks. In the text it says,” Animals are assumed to want it like women. One can consume either a pig or a woman. One can exploit and destroy a calf or a woman.” (Kemmerer 2006) This shows a wider societal issue where societal norms dictate behaviors and values – the imagery shown in the three photos is an impressive view on the objectification and sexualization shown in contemporary society. Both women and animals are subjected to views that highlight their appearance over substance. Point out these behaviors is important because it gives women a more respectful and nuanced understanding of bodies. 

The photo of the young lady with fork and knife in front of a large piece of raw meat can be an explain of Adams argument that the consumption of meat is linked to patriarchal structures and the subjugation of women. The image means more than a simple meal; it becomes a symbolic view of the complex power dynamics. The raw meat symbolizes the objectification and commodification of the female body. Adams describes how the meat industry consistently de-animalizes creatures which reduces them to simple products without consciousness. In the text is says, “Women are animalized and animals are sexualized and feminized. 7. Anthropornography naturalizes sexual trafficking in and use of women.” (page 13) This is important because it shows the treatment that women and animals get – this relationship is important to understand because the meat industry turn them into nothing more than commodities, stripping them of their consciousness and individuality. 

Adams, Carol J. 2010. The Sexual Politics of Meat: A Feminist-Vegetarian
Critical Theory. London and New York: Continuum.

Kemmerer, L. (2006). The pornography of meat by Carol Adams. Philosophy Now: a magazine of ideas. https://philosophynow.org/issues/56/The_Pornography_of_Meat_by_Carol_Adams