Peruvian ecofeminism: an ecologica and gender fight

Translated by Alessandra Fumagalli 

In 1974, the French Françoise d’Eaubonne founded the ecofeminism, which brings together the domination of women in the society and the degradation of the environment caused by humankind. Ecofeminism is indeed a movement which has deep roots in the environment’s safeguard, as well as the fight for women rights, especially those living in more vulnerable countries. In Peru, which is a country rich in biodiversity, there is a strong sense of social inequality, therefore ecofeminism can be seen in a significative way and indigenous women, farmers and local activists are in the forehand for the safeguard of the environment and natural resources. Peruvian ecofeminism represents a meeting point among fights for social justice, gender equality and environmental safeguard.

Peru: country of ecologica and social contradictions

Peru is a country which has an extraordinary natural richness: starting from the Amazon forest, which is the biggest all over the world after the Brazilian one, to the Andean mountain range and the wild coasts, the Peruvian biodiversity is one of the highest in the planet. However, this heritage is threaten by different causes, among which the illegal minings or the deforestation, caused to create industrial agricolture and infrastructures. Another aspect is the human right’s violation, which hits indigenous population, especially women, which are double oppressed: both for their gender and for they ethical belonging. Ecofeminism in Peru was born as an answer to these challenges, that women have to overcome, on one hand as keepers of their cultural traditions linked with the sustainable management of the natural resources and on the other hand as forehand activists against ecological destruction. Ecofeminist movement in Peru is not only an environmental issue, but it is also a fight against social injustice, which impose women to live in a stable balance among poverty, work exploitation and difficulty of access of fundamental resources like water and land.

Historical and cultural roots and perugina ecofeminism challenges

Peruvian ecofeminism has its roots in the indigenous population, especially Andean and Amazon communities, because the land represents a sacre and a lively entity, which must be respected and protected. Indigenous and farmers women, key points in this context, have managed natural resources like water, seeds and agricultural biodiversity for ages, passing on their ancestral knowledge linked with sustainable cultivation and care for the land. This tradition has been reworked by ecofeminism in order to face modern challenges, like the climate change, deforestation and privatization of resources, linking with the buen vivir, which is an harmonious vision between mankind and nature base don the collective management of resources. 

Meanwhile the movement faces an important fight against big multinationals and mining sector, which threaten the biodiversity and local communities. Peru, among the most producers of minerals, suffered from severe ecological and social consequences, due to mining activities. Indigenous and farmer women, often victims of this activity, fight in forehand for this issue, becoming a symbol of resistance, defense of the territory and fight for female rights. A significative example is Máxima Acuña, a farmer that challenged Yanacocha in order to protect her lands. Her battle became emblematic in the resistance against lands-taking and environmental destruction. Through their social and familiar position, these women created resistance nets that promote an ecological and gender justice, integrating the land’s defense with the fight for female emancipation. 

Ecofeminism and public politics in Peru

Even if ecofeminism is gaining visibility, its fights haven’t been recognized by Peruvian political institutions yet. Governments are often in favor of big minings factories and implemented policies that don’t protect the environment and women rights. However, lots of local organization are trying to take the ecofeminism in the political and social debate, asking for laws that guarantee the safeguard of the environment and the inclusion of women in the decisional processes. These organizations are the Confederación Nacional Agraria (CNA) and the Coordinadora Nacional de Mujeres Indígenas del Perú (CONAMI). The proposals include the creation of laws for the safeguard of natural resources, the strengthening of women rights to access lands, the support to sustainable agricultural production and the recognition of woman as biodiversity keeper.

Conclusions

Ecofeminism in Peru represents a resistance force, which puts together the fight for social justice, women rights and environment protection. Indigenous and farmer women are at the center of the movement, trying to overcome environmental, political and cultural threatens. Their fight is crucial to the future of the country, because even though Peru is full of natural resources, their sustainability depends on communitarian management practicals and women rights. Ecofeminism highlights the necessity of creating an equal, sustainable and inclusive future for men and women.

Mondo Internazionale APS - Riproduzione Riservata ® 2024