Women’s subordination and environmental degradation are linked to power relations that shape access to resources and participation in decision-making. This study examines the relationship between patriarchal structures, environmental degradation, and women’s lives. It also explores women’s ecological knowledge and collective action in conservation, as well as the barriers that limit their influence. The study adopts a qualitative approach, combining a critical integrative literature review with semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 10 informants. The literature and interview accounts were analyzed thematically and interpreted through an ecofeminist perspective. The literature synthesis identified social construction, gender hierarchy, role division, and the normalization of inequality as interconnected dimensions of women’s subordination. An ecofeminist interpretation revealed parallels between the domination of women and the exploitation of nature. Informants’ perception scores were 4.6 for environmental exploitation, 4.4 for impacts on women, 4.2 for women’s subordination, 4.0 for resistance to patriarchy, and 3.4 for empowerment through collective action. The interviews showed that women participate in resource management, tree planting, waste management, and environmental advocacy. However, their knowledge and actions do not always receive institutional recognition or support, nor do they necessarily translate into influence over decisions. The study identifies a gap between women’s conservation activities and their empowerment in environmental governance. Its findings underscore the need to recognize women’s ecological knowledge and expand their participation in environmental decision-making.
Copyrights © 2024