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3 Everyday Activities in the Green World
Fig. 3.7 Ilaje women
Women are also great stewards of not only resources but also the environment.
The best illustration of environmental conservation was the activities spearheaded
by Wangari Maathai of Kenya. Her activities, under the Green Belt Movement, were
critical in ensuring that women were at the forefront of promoting environmental
conservation. Maathai’s actions resonate with the concept of ecofeminism that
advocates for a sustainable environment. Ecofeminism contends that capitalistic
societies have resulted in a disastrous impact on the environment and the people.
Some of the ecofeminism personalities and movements that have played a crucial
role in promoting sustainability are Karen Warren, Maria Mies, and Vandana
Shiva (Shiva and Mies 2014). Vandana Shiva is an environmentalist who has
heavily criticized biotechnology and conventional agriculture. Notably, her work
has been summarized as a “one-woman movement for peace, sustainability, and
social justice,” and is further described in detail in the Individual Matter Section at
the end of this chapter.
Economic empowerment of women also has the potential of reducing poverty,
which is one of the sources of pollution in water streams and other natural resources
(Shiva and Mies 2014). The implication of providing women with equal chances,
voices, and choices is crucial for their lives and the future of our planet. If we are
to achieve sustainable development and Greenness, women must remain part of the
system and decision-making.
Discuss three women groups that have been important for environmental conservation in Africa. From these discussions, what are the roles of ecofeminism
in environmental sustainability?
3 Everyday Activities in the Green World
Fig. 3.7 Ilaje women
Women are also great stewards of not only resources but also the environment.
The best illustration of environmental conservation was the activities spearheaded
by Wangari Maathai of Kenya. Her activities, under the Green Belt Movement, were
critical in ensuring that women were at the forefront of promoting environmental
conservation. Maathai’s actions resonate with the concept of ecofeminism that
advocates for a sustainable environment. Ecofeminism contends that capitalistic
societies have resulted in a disastrous impact on the environment and the people.
Some of the ecofeminism personalities and movements that have played a crucial
role in promoting sustainability are Karen Warren, Maria Mies, and Vandana
Shiva (Shiva and Mies 2014). Vandana Shiva is an environmentalist who has
heavily criticized biotechnology and conventional agriculture. Notably, her work
has been summarized as a “one-woman movement for peace, sustainability, and
social justice,” and is further described in detail in the Individual Matter Section at
the end of this chapter.
Economic empowerment of women also has the potential of reducing poverty,
which is one of the sources of pollution in water streams and other natural resources
(Shiva and Mies 2014). The implication of providing women with equal chances,
voices, and choices is crucial for their lives and the future of our planet. If we are
to achieve sustainable development and Greenness, women must remain part of the
system and decision-making.
Discuss three women groups that have been important for environmental conservation in Africa. From these discussions, what are the roles of ecofeminism
in environmental sustainability?