Ecofeminist Approaches in Literature to Climate Change: A Study of Indian Women Farmers

Abstract

This study explores the intersection of gender, environment, and literature through an ecofeminist lens, focusing on how Indian women farmers experience and respond to the impacts of climate change. By combining qualitative literary analysis with quantitative field data from 100 women farmers across rural India, the research investigates both the representation and reality of women’s ecological roles. The findings reveal that most women farmers are aware of climate change and its adverse effects on agriculture but continue to face barriers such as limited access to resources, financial instability, and gender-based inequalities. Despite these challenges, they actively engage in adaptive strategies such as crop diversification, water conservation, and the use of traditional ecological knowledge. The study also identifies a growing ecofeminist consciousness, as reflected in both literature and lived experiences, highlighting women’s resilience and their critical contribution to sustainable farming. It concludes that empowering women through policy support, education, and community initiatives is essential for achieving climate justice and ecological balance in India.