Between Challenges and Opportunities: The Journey of Ecofeminism in Lebanon
Between Challenges and Opportunities: The Journey of Ecofeminism in Lebanon - Batoul Hamzi
There are numerous movements around the world undertaken by activists aimed to advance gender justice in all fields, against the challenges they are experiencing in their struggles to support sustainable feminist movements.
In Lebanon, Ecofeminism is considered to be among the most important fields where gender justice and gender equality intersect with the environment preservation. It challenges the current situation and bets on opportunities to access resources and convey voices to build transformative strategies and address all aspects of intersecting inequality.
The implementation of the National Agenda for Women, Peace and Security, is considered among the most prominent challenges, specifically in terms of environmental dimension, as the ongoing environmental challenges in Lebanon, including water and air pollution along with climate change, exacerbate the pressures of life on women and impact their role in society and economy and catalyze the establishment of transformative feminist strategies. These strategies are paired with long-term, sustainable approaches aimed at addressing the underlying causes of environmental challenges on women.
The term ecofeminism was coined by the French feminist "Françoise D’eaubonne" and explores the connections between environmental issues and feminism. However, in our Arab world in general and in Lebanon in particular, the issues claimed by feminists are considered more acute, and there is no clear environmental feminist thought in particular. Therefore, the first challenge hindering the environmental feminist movement is the insufficient recognition of their importance, despite the intrinsic connection between environmental justice and social justice. Vulnerable social categories particularly marginalized and disadvantaged communities often bear the brunt of environmental crises and the making of environmental economic policies.
Ecofeminism in Lebanon faces significant challenges primarily due to environmental pollution and its impact on health. As persistent water and air pollution endangers women’s health, and restricts their involvement in environmental policy-making. Women in rural areas and poor communities struggle with access to basic natural resources such as clean water and sustainable energy, which exacerbate their poverty and hampers their educational and economic opportunities. Moreover, climate change elevates the costs of resilience, increasing vulnerability to poverty and displacement due to natural disasters such as floods and droughts.
In Lebanon as well, social challenges impede the achievement of feminist environmental, particularly concerning women’s inheritance of land which remains a controversial issue. The legal framework does not penalize this restriction, limiting women from accessing and benefiting from the land, especially in rural agricultural areas. Dima KAEDBEH a Lebanese environmental feminist highlights the patriarchal system that has evolved to exploit both nature and women, considering nature as a mere exploitable resource, intertwining the domination of the environment with the subjugation of women.
On the other hand, promoting ecofeminism in Lebanon, can greatly enhance the role of women in environmental decision-making leading to sustainable development benefits for the entire society. Hence, supporting sustainable education and training for women in environmental conservation empowers them to take on leadership roles. Empowering and having more women in positions of power and decision-making will improve awareness and solutions to environmental issues, thus, working to change attitudes and practices. Additionally, strengthening regional and international partnerships for knowledge and technology exchange in ecofeminism and environmental conservation is crucial for achieving the goals of feminist environmental justice.
In conclusion, environmental feminism in Lebanon highlights the critical need for urgent measures that address both environmental and social justice. Key strategies include empowering and promoting women’s role in environment protection, which leads to Sustainable Development Goals and better future for future generations in Lebanon and around the world, implementing supportive legislations and policies for women’s rights, providing education and training programs for women in the environmental conservation, fostering regional and international cooperation in ecofeminism to exchange knowledge, technology and expertise, which will contribute to strengthening capacities and achieving better results in the long term. Achieving environmental justice is crucial for fulfilling global goals and international agreements that legislate the right of residents to live in their land and protect their resources from the exploitation of occupying forces, transnational companies or undemocratic regimes.
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