The role of feminist environmental ethics in curbing gender-based violence

Abstract

In this article, I aim to expand the approaches available for addressing gender-based violence by integrating insights from feminist environmental theories, particularly social ecofeminism and care ethics. I propose that identifying capitalist patriarchy as a common root cause of both environmental degradation and gender-based violence – drawing from existing literature – enables feminist environmental principles to be leveraged as tools to combat gender-based violence. This approach involves challenging patriarchy and capitalism through the lens of social ecofeminism, while emphasising empathy and interdependence; core virtues of care ethics. My focus is specifically on forms of gender-based violence that arise as a direct consequence of environmental degradation.