What is ecofeminism?

Today, we're taking a look at a concept we didn't even know existed until a few years ago. Is it possible to have ecological and feminist values? But what exactly is ecofeminism all about? 

Ecofeminism, as the name suggests, was born out of an ecological and feminist concern.

For ecofeminists, nature and women are part of the same ecosystem, and both are dominated and exploited by the dominant political, economic and cultural power of l. 

Ecofeminism considers that there are levers and causes in common between systems of domination and oppression of women by men and systems of overexploitation of nature by man. this would lead to major climate disruption. 

The movement stresses that to enter a resolutely more ecological era, it would be necessary to rethink relations between genders as well as between humans and nature.

Ecofeminism takes a stand against this system, where men see nature as a set of resources to be put at the service of humans, rather than as a living system in its own right. The same applies to women, who have a productive biological power that is seen as a reproductive force that men must control and put at their service. 

For ecofeminists, the capitalist and patriarchal system is one in which women and nature are both dominated and used as free resources.

Different ecofeminist movements?

There are indeed different movements within ecofeminism itself. Ecofeminism can sometimes be divided in terms of North and South. 

In the North, ecofeminism tends more to challenge the "traditional" role of women, i.e. the image of the stay-at-home mother.  

In the South, on the other hand, movements of peasant and indigenous women are challenging intensive, nature-destroying production, but always with a view lto the well-being of nature and human well-being, because for them the two are inseparable.

History of ecofeminism

The concept of ecofeminism was first introduced in 1974 by the Frenchwoman Françoise d'Eaubonnein her book "Feminism or Death". For her, a profound transformation of society was needed to overcome our capitalist and patriarchal model, because " women's revolt is in the most immediate interest of humanity ". Ecofeminism is seen as a philosophy that goes beyond feminism and ecology. Ecofeminism aims to tackle a global problem, be it environmental, political, social or cultural.

However, in France, the idea of waging a feminist battle in conjunction with an ecological one did not catch on, and it was in English-speaking countries, particularly the United States, that the idea developed.

This ecofeminist movement is developing in the United States, with its anti-militarist and anti-nuclear stance. It is also developing in the UK, where women are mobilizing en masse to fight environmental problems.

Then, with the arrival of the 1990s, ecofeminism evolved, becoming more cultural and the subject of academic research.

It is therefore only recently that the sconcept has been developed in France, notably during the COP21 in Paris in 2015, where an entire day was devoted to the theme of gender and climate. What's more, Ségolène Royal explains in her book " What I can finally tell you", that she has observed a "real resemblance" "between violence against women" and violence "against nature".

It's also worth noting that it's now the younger generations, and young women in particular, who are mobilizing and campaigning all the more in the face of the urgency of the situation. We can see this perfectly in our customers' growing awareness with the use of our organic periods knickers, in their consumption,...

One of the most recent figures in ecofeminism is Greta Thumberg, who donates part of her Liberty Prize to the Care association, which supports women in countries where global warming makes life impossible. During her various marches, many young girls add a feminist touch to their placards: "Lick clitos, not Monsanto's ass" or "Ma planète, ma chatte, sauvons les zones humides" (My planet, my pussy, let's save the wetlands), this slogan evoking disposable sanitary pads whose components pollute the planet as much as women's bodies.

In the Elia team, we're more feminist and in favor of a more responsible economy, with access to health and environmental issues. You can see it in the certifications we hold!