Growing up in the Global South, I witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of environmental degradation. As a young girl, my daily responsibilities were endless – waking up before dawn to fetch water, walking miles to collect firewood, and managing household chores before attending school. This was the harsh reality for many girls and women in my community.
A faded photograph from 25 years ago brings back memories of those challenging times. Taken at 5 am in Aburi, the picture shows me and my friends waiting in line to fetch water before heading to school. These experiences taught me valuable lessons about resilience, community, and the intricate connections between human and natural systems.
The works of Vandana Shiva and Anil Agarwal resonate deeply with my experiences. They highlighted the importance of recognizing the intrinsic value of nature and promoting sustainable development. Agarwal’s emphasis on environmental justice and addressing the social and economic dimensions of environmental degradation aligns with my story.
My narrative serves as a testament to the disproportionate impact of environmental degradation on women and girls in the Global South. It underscores the urgency of addressing this issue and promoting sustainable development that prioritizes social and environmental justice.
Ecofeminism is a philosophy that combines ecological concerns (caring for the planet) with feminist concerns (caring for women’s rights and well-being). Women in the global South are disproportionately affected by environmental degradation, facing unique challenges that exacerbate their vulnerability. Anil Agarwal’s work highlights the social and economic dimensions of environmental degradation, emphasizing the need for sustainable development and environmental justice ¹.
From a Western perspective, ecofeminism focuses on the interconnectedness of human and natural systems, challenging the dominant narratives of human exceptionalism and control over nature. This perspective emphasizes the importance of preserving biodiversity, promoting sustainable agriculture, and recognizing the intrinsic value of nature ².
In contrast, non-Western perspectives on ecofeminism, such as those represented by Vandana Shiva, focus on the degradation of the environment and the threat to survival, with women taking action to address these issues. This perspective highlights the disproportionate impact of environmental degradation on women in the global South, who are often the primary caregivers and managers of natural resources ¹.
The central differences between Western and non-Western perspectives on ecofeminism lie in their approaches to environmentalism and feminism. Western ecofeminism tends to focus on the ideological roots of environmental degradation, while non-Western perspectives emphasize the practical, everyday experiences of women in the global South.
I find the non-Western perspective more appealing because it prioritizes the voices and experiences of women in the global South, who are often the most affected by environmental degradation. This perspective also emphasizes the importance of community-based initiatives and grassroots activism, which can lead to more effective and sustainable solutions to environmental challenges. But it starts with all of us especially folks like me who have lived it first hand
From right to left Leticia, Eunice, Parista and ,myself
work cited
(London, In the Footsteps of Gandhi: An Interview with Vandana Shiva) (London D. V.)
3 Replies to “WOMEN AND GLOBAL SOUTH”
I love how your blog captures both personal and collective experiences of women in the Global South and how environmental degradation impacts their daily lives. The connection you make between your personal narrative and the works of Vandana Shiva and Anil Agarwal is poignant, showing how ecofeminism is not just a theoretical framework but something lived by women in communities like yours. Your reflection on resilience and the intricate relationship between human and natural systems is powerful and relatable, and Your personal connection to the issue adds an important layer of authenticity and urgency to the discussion, and it’s inspiring to see how your experiences have shaped your understanding of ecofeminism.
Hi Francisca! Thank you for sharing your story and childhood photo. Your voice is important and should be heard by all as well as the many women who grew up with the same obstacles day to day. In the US, we take water for granted and I myself have never had to fetch water further than the kitchen or the corner store. I understand the great privilege I experience as a result of this course and your shared experience. Access to natural resources should be a human right, and the work of Agarwal and other non-western perspectives align with my newfound interest in seeing this become an actuality. I hope to study law after graduating and one of the fields I am considering is environmental law. Something I read from this weeks sources was from Shiva in an interview with Scott London which talks about the monopoly western capitalist societies are imposing against places like India in which they are patenting long standing common knowledge/practice of indigenous peoples for capital gain. This is saddening to me and I became physically upset while reading this because of the audacity of a nation that would impose trade sanctions against non-conforming people who do not have the same laws as the US to prohibit monopolies. I hope within our generation that we can put an end to this patriarchal oppression and that all women of God’s green Earth have access to the fundamental human rights we take for granted here in the US.
This narrative captivates and resonates strongly through your exploration of the intersection between gender and environmental challenges, grounded in personal experiences. By weaving together individual stories with broader ecofeminist insights, you illuminate the distinct hurdles encountered by women in the Global South. Your focus on non-Western perspectives and community driven initiatives underscores the importance of uplifting local voices and solutions, showcasing your profound understanding of these critical issues.
I love how your blog captures both personal and collective experiences of women in the Global South and how environmental degradation impacts their daily lives. The connection you make between your personal narrative and the works of Vandana Shiva and Anil Agarwal is poignant, showing how ecofeminism is not just a theoretical framework but something lived by women in communities like yours. Your reflection on resilience and the intricate relationship between human and natural systems is powerful and relatable, and Your personal connection to the issue adds an important layer of authenticity and urgency to the discussion, and it’s inspiring to see how your experiences have shaped your understanding of ecofeminism.
Hi Francisca! Thank you for sharing your story and childhood photo. Your voice is important and should be heard by all as well as the many women who grew up with the same obstacles day to day. In the US, we take water for granted and I myself have never had to fetch water further than the kitchen or the corner store. I understand the great privilege I experience as a result of this course and your shared experience. Access to natural resources should be a human right, and the work of Agarwal and other non-western perspectives align with my newfound interest in seeing this become an actuality. I hope to study law after graduating and one of the fields I am considering is environmental law. Something I read from this weeks sources was from Shiva in an interview with Scott London which talks about the monopoly western capitalist societies are imposing against places like India in which they are patenting long standing common knowledge/practice of indigenous peoples for capital gain. This is saddening to me and I became physically upset while reading this because of the audacity of a nation that would impose trade sanctions against non-conforming people who do not have the same laws as the US to prohibit monopolies. I hope within our generation that we can put an end to this patriarchal oppression and that all women of God’s green Earth have access to the fundamental human rights we take for granted here in the US.
This narrative captivates and resonates strongly through your exploration of the intersection between gender and environmental challenges, grounded in personal experiences. By weaving together individual stories with broader ecofeminist insights, you illuminate the distinct hurdles encountered by women in the Global South. Your focus on non-Western perspectives and community driven initiatives underscores the importance of uplifting local voices and solutions, showcasing your profound understanding of these critical issues.