Women and the Environment: Understanding the Connections

The subject of women and nature has a growing niche in feminism and women’s studies. Based on the premise when women are dominated and controlled so too is nature, as feminine domination and abuse parallels environmental degradation and destruction. There is solid evidence that the more male-dominated a community the more oppressed women are within that community. Also true is that the poorer the woman the worse her immediate environment, and thus her children are more likely to be unhealthy and uneducated. Historical trends show when women and mothers lose cultural and religious respect within a society, the same society looses respect for nature and begins to self destruct. For instance, our modern cities (built by men and for men) seldom considers the mother and her child in the design and construction of homes, streets, distances, and the quality of building materials. Women cannot work and serve their families and jobs effectively within these city plans without greatly compromising their life’s commitments. Environmental illness and multiple chemical sensitivities, real diseases, are plagued by women. The most industrial of Western cities are the leading the world in environmental degradation. It is this examination of the historical, cultural, religious, and political causes of feminine domination and abuse, and subsequent ecological devastation which has lead to the emergence of ecofeminisim: the inextricable link of feminism and ecology.

Since its inception in the 1970s ecofeminism has embraced ‘Mother Earth’ and questioned the Judeo-Christian relationship to nature. The separation from nature is at the heart of all feminine environmental arguments. Thirty years later it’s no longer just a feminist issue. Almost all environmental divisions are based on the question ‘Are we of nature, or is nature here for us to dominate and control’? In our American society the answer to this question depends on if one is left or right, a Christian or not, Republican or Democratic, liberal or conservative. This black and white approach to nature and our relationship to the environment is why environmental policies have remained relatively unchanged in over 30 years, and why America continues to produce and manufacture materials and chemicals which are known to be toxic and unsafe for our homes and communities. It is why no American city can implement a strong and sustainable recycling program, and environmental education is practically non existent in our schools. It is also the reason why America is the largest generator of waste in the world and consumes almost half the world’s goods. According to many ecofeminist theories America is on a road to self destruction.

If ecofeminism is right, then it is not just the question ‘Are we of nature’ which America has yet to resolve, but rather ‘Are we of female, or is female here for us to dominate and control’? If societies across the world could look only at science and facts, this question has already been answered: all life starts as female, and all species enter this world through females. No matter how much testosterone runs this world all men began as female, and they owe their lives to the sacrifices, pain, and love of their mothers. If men complain that their mothers did not sacrifice or love to a level which deserves respect, they should look at the umpteen negative factors which (to this day) impacted a mother’s life: abuse, poverty, poor education, no family foundation, etc. All mankind must understand that the imbalance of the sexes hurts everyone, regardless of which sex. If this one fact could be embraced mankind’s global relationship to nature would change.

With the true respect of women comes respect for her history and contributions to cultures. Women have been community gatherers, farmers, weavers, and pottery makers, where their hands molded and formed the earth’s gifts on a daily basis. In most cultures the family doctor was the woman who understood medicinal plants and herbs and prepared healing foods for her children. In the majority of cases where women are given economic control of the family’s welfare, the family survives. The recent Nobel Prize Winner Dr. Muhammad Yunus understood this, and funded over 90% women with micro-credit. Where women thrive and succeed the environment around them is more likely to become disease free, cleaner, and respected. The global status of women can actually be considered barometers to the health of ecosystems.

Women, who are naturally more in tune with universal cycles, intuition, and “motherly instincts”, are the true mystery-solvers of our universe. Within science, physics, and mathematics a linear ceiling has been reached, where concepts and solutions to the world’s mysteries need non-linear, abstract, and cyclic contributions. Where men have characteristically contributed to linear science and technology the future science belongs to women who are intuitively better at understanding abstractions of the natural world. Natural and biological laws are based in the feminine, as each and every species and ecosystem operates in very unique ways, dependent on “sixth senses” and intuition to survive and thrive. Some of the greatest natural laws of the 20th century, the theory of relativity and DNA, could have never been solved without the amazing minds of the women who contributed (and in a more just time it may be proven those women were the actual discoverers).

By embracing an understanding and respect for the feminine and ecology America can change its relationship to nature, women, and its ecological future. Here in the United States the Native American culture has a deep understanding of nature and honoring the feminine. The US school systems would greatly benefit by educating students on Native American philosophy, rather than just history, which would help young people realize the possibility to live in a culture that celebrates nature and female as one. Within conservative religious circles change can begin by honoring women’s historical and current contributions to faiths. Women like Mother Teresa not only helped others, but her approach was congruent with environmental respect and conservation, leadership and prosperity. Female is Nature. Female is Creation. Female is the Future. And most important, Female is Life.

Jan. 2007

Lena Hakim can be reached at lenahakim@yahoo.com.