Environmental Movements And Women's Participation In India

Eram Alam

Feminist Environmentalism, Ecofeminism, Environmental Movements, Environmental deterioration, Environmental Conservation

The relationship between gender and the environment is primarily conceptualized in ideological terms in the expanding body of literature on ecofeminism in the West, particularly in the US. However, a growing struggle for survival in the developing world draws attention to the material foundation of this connection. It provides context for a different definition of ecofeminism, which the study refers to as "Feminist Environmentalism." Before the 18th and 19th centuries, women were seen to play no part in environmental conservation and promotion, and they were excluded from all main spheres of social life. However, after learning about their rights and responsibilities and becoming aware of their surroundings, they consciously raised their voices against environmental deterioration. Women play an essential role in managing natural resources at the family and community levels, and they are disproportionately affected by environmental deterioration. Women traditionally care for and maintain natural resources in their households and communities. Environmental damage and deterioration substantially affect them by depriving them of their means of subsistence. Women have direct access to natural resources such as fuel, food, and fodder; forests; water; and land, particularly in rural areas, where 70% of the Indian population lives and is directly dependent on these resources. Women are also accountable for using these resources to meet their families' necessities. This paper addresses two objectives: first, the conceptualization of the nature of the relationship between women and the environment; and second, the analysis of the contribution of women to environmental movements in India.

Volume 14 Issue 2, February-2026

Pages : d955-d964