Intersectional Ecofeminism: Understanding the Double Burden of Gender and Environmental Injustice

Abstract

Gender inequality and environmental degradation are immediate socioeconomic challenges that disproportionately affect women, especially those living in rural areas. Ecofeminism offers a theoretical framework for investigating the relationship between patriarchal structures and ecological degradation. The experiences of women are further influenced by caste, region, education, and social status, according to an intersectional perspective. Young women in rural India deal with environmental issues (such as pollution and water scarcity) and constrictive gender norms, resulting in a special double burden that is not well understood empirically. This study aims to quantitatively examine the relationship between environmental degradation and gender-based discrimination among rural female college students. It seeks to understand how these overlapping forms of marginalization influence their awareness, attitudes, and coping mechanisms, while also exploring the implications for social work education and intervention. A structured questionnaire will be administered to 300 rural female college students across three districts in Tamil Nadu. The tool is designed to measure variables such as exposure to environmental issues, perceived gender discrimination, ecofeminist awareness, and mental well-being. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and regression techniques will be employed to analyze the data. The findings of the study reveal a significant relationship between perceptions of environmental degradation and experiences of gender-based discrimination. Students who demonstrated higher levels of ecofeminist awareness also showed stronger intentions to advocate for social and environmental justice, enhanced critical thinking abilities, and greater psychological resilience. These results underscore the importance of integrating intersectional ecofeminist perspectives into social work education, thereby equipping students to effectively address the interconnected challenges of environmental and gender justice. By highlighting these expected intersections, the study aims to contribute to the development of educational and policy interventions that promote both gender and environmental equity in rural contexts.