Religion, Feminism, and Environmentalism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Religion, Feminism, and Environmentalism - Essay Example The concept of ecological sustainability in the Hindu traditions goes back to the traditional beliefs of respecting and creating a special relationship with the environment around. Similarly, in Christian women the ecological sustainability revives the tradition that God gave this world to the creatures for their use and dominance over the earth and all its creations. Buddhism also promotes the idea of environmental ethics in the daily lives of the people to promote a non-violent ecology. Ecological feminism is a term that describes the parallel system of environmental exploitation and exploitation of women in the society. These theories suggest that the natural resources and women, both are exploited by the dominance of men. Men are dominant on nature and women because these are the powerless groups. The control over nature is seen as parallel to the control over women. The male dominance in the society is seen by the eco-feminists as the reason for the environmental crisis that we are facing. The male dominance agents include fights for power, political ties, the male oriented culture of decision making etc., and these are merely the reasons for the destruction of the environment. The ecological feminist theories also play an important role to highlight the relationship among the environmental politics and the philosophy of the society. These theories say that this relation is enhanced by the focus on gender. Philosophically, eco-feminism is the name given to the concept that talks about the link of ecology and feminism. This concept may be supported and opposed by the examination of this link. Some of the conceptual frameworks that are covered under the theory of eco-feminism are the distinction among feminism and animal liberation, violence and exploitation of environment etc. Ecological feminism shows that man is dominant on both; nature and women (Warren 25). Feminism is linked with ecology and eco-feminists argue that there is a deep connection between n ature and women. Women have the potential to dominate the environment. The reasons for this link are the oppression that is faced commonly by women and nature at the hands of the male dominant, patriarchal society. Women are believed to have ecological knowledge ever since the society emerged. They connect with the environment through the daily interactions they make with nature’s processes. Ecological feminism in India: Feminism in India describes the equality of men and women that is established on social, political and economic level. Feminists in India are active and have quite successfully provided the women in India with equal rights in health, work and politics. This has led to many developments of which women have been a huge part whether it is the abolition of Sati, independent organizations for women movements by Gandhi or the equality in men and women observed in modern India. Women were treated and feminism was considered to be different in India than in the West. Religion has played a major role to identify the power of women in India, and women are given the cultural space. The western society rather believes in individualism and free rights because of which feminism is promoted. The views of Hindus about nature are evident from the Hindu scripture and philosophy. According to the spirituality of Hindus, the women have greatly contributed in the ecological developments since the beginning. Their long history of Goddesses also shows the formative role of women in Hindu culture and religion, for example the association of women such as Lakshmi and Jaya with rivers to