Quest - The Journal of UGC-HRDC Nainital
  • Year: 2025
  • Volume: 19
  • Issue: 1to3

Gendered Ecology and Sustainability: Women’s Discourse in Environmental Justice

1Research Scholar, Department of Political Science, SSJDW Government P.G. College, Ranikhet, Soban Singh Jeena University, Almora, Uttarakhand, India

*Email id: garimathapliyal1@gmail.com

Online Published on 09 April, 2026.

Abstract

This paper examines the relationship between women and the environment from the ecofeminist perspective, highlighting the significant role women play in ecological sustainability. It explores the intersection of gender, ecology, and sustainability, highlighting how socially constructed gender roles, such as women’s responsibilities in caregiving and household management, position them to face unique challenges in environmental crises. These gendered dynamics make women more vulnerable to the impacts of environmental crises, such as climate change, with the effects disproportionately affecting women of different intersections. The paper also highlights the importance of advocating for environmental justice, challenging power structures, and promoting sustainable practices. It emphasizes the value of incorporating traditional knowledge into modern sustainability efforts, recognizing its contribution to ecological governance and resilience. Furthermore, it underscores the need for government policy intervention that integrates these perspectives, ensuring more inclusive and effective approaches to environmental governance, particularly with attention to the experiences and roles of women.

Keywords

Gender and environment, Ecofeminism, Sustainability, Traditional knowledge, Environmental justice, Women and ecology