Limitations of Ecofeminism: A Critical Reassessment of Woman–Nature Association

Abstract

Ecofeminism has emerged as a significant theoretical framework that connects the subjugation of women with the exploitation of nature, positing that both forms of domination stem from patriarchal systems. Although ecofeminism has made substantial contributions to feminist theory and environmental discussions, it has also encountered persistent criticism regarding its conceptual and political shortcomings. This paper offers a critical reassessment of the fundamental eco-feminist assertion of an inherent woman–nature connection and explores the issues of essentialism, biological determinism, insufficient intersectionality, cultural universalism, and political ineffectiveness that are present in early eco-feminist thought. By drawing on the works of prominent ecofeminist theorists such as Françoise d’Eaubonne, Carolyn Merchant, Vandana Shiva, and Val Plumwood, as well as their critics, this study contends that while ecofeminism retains its value, it necessitates a re-conceptualization through intersectional, materialist, and postcolonial lenses. Such a reassessment is essential for ecofeminism to maintain its relevance within modern feminist and environmental justice movements.