What does ecofeminism mean?
Ecofeminism is a philosophical and political movement that asserts a fundamental connection between the oppression of women and the exploitation of the natural world. Coined by French writer Françoise d'Eaubonne in 1974, the term describes the view that patriarchal systems that dominate women also drive environmental destruction, and that neither problem can be fully resolved without addressing the other. Ecofeminists work across activism, philosophy, theology, and the arts, drawing attention to issues such as deforestation, pollution, and resource extraction insofar as they disproportionately harm women, particularly in developing regions. The word functions as an uncountable noun naming the movement itself, with 'ecofeminist' serving as both adjective and noun for its adherents. While influential in academic and activist circles, ecofeminism has attracted criticism from some feminists who argue that linking women to nature risks reinforcing traditional stereotypes; supporters respond that it exposes those stereotypes as instruments of domination rather than truths about either women or the environment.
nounA philosophical and social movement that links the exploitation and degradation of the natural environment to the oppression of women, arguing that the two are connected and must be addressed together.
- A movement and body of thought holding that the domination of women and the degradation of nature are interconnected, rooted in shared structures of patriarchy and exploitation.
- The academic field of study analyzing these connections across philosophy, theology, literature, and political activism.
"Ecofeminism emerged in the 1970s as activists drew parallels between environmental destruction and patriarchal domination."
"Her dissertation examined how ecofeminism influenced grassroots water-protection campaigns in India."
"For many activists, ecofeminism offered a framework that refused to separate social justice from environmental concern."
Rarely used; appears mainly in academic contexts to acknowledge the diversity of approaches within the broader movement rather than to count separate instances.
"Scholars have mapped the distinct ecofeminisms that developed across Latin America, South Asia, and the Global North."
The term 'ecofeminism' was coined in 1974 by French writer Françoise d'Eaubonne, who argued that women's liberation and ecological survival were the same struggle.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of ecofeminism
Ecofeminism is a compound formed from 'eco-' (from Greek 'oikos', meaning house or household, via 'ecology') and 'feminism' (from Latin 'femina', meaning woman). The term was coined by French writer and philosopher Françoise d'Eaubonne in her 1974 book 'Le féminisme ou la mort' ('Feminism or Death'). It entered English usage during the late 1970s and 1980s as the movement spread through environmental and feminist scholarship. Related derivatives include 'ecofeminist', used both adjectivally and as a noun for proponents of the movement.
Related word forms
How ecofeminism is actually used
Register: academic and activist discourse; relatively uncommon in casual conversation. The term is generally used neutrally or positively within environmental and feminist circles, though critics have sometimes characterized it as essentialist when it emphasizes women's closeness to nature.
Easily confused with ecofeminism
Feminism is the broader movement advocating for women's rights and equality, while ecofeminism is a specific branch that additionally connects women's oppression to environmental exploitation.