Women and Nature: An Ecofeminist Perspective on Environmental Movements in India

Abstract

This paper highlights the connection between gender and ecological activism by examining women's roles in India's environmental movements from an ecofeminist standpoint. The study examines the degree of women's involvement, the tactics they used, and the social and ecological effects of their activism by examining four significant movements: the Chipko, Appiko, Narmada Bachao Andolan, and Silent Valley Movements. According to the findings, women's participation reflects important ecofeminist tenets such as activism-based empowerment, care ethics, resistance to patriarchal and economic exploitation, and connectivity with nature. The leadership of women in these movements improved social empowerment, visibility, and community involvement in addition to aiding in the preservation and sustainable management of natural resources. In addition to highlighting the transformative potential of ecofeminist activism in tackling ecological and socioeconomic concerns in India, the study emphasizes the significance of incorporating women's ecological expertise and leadership into environmental governance.