Abstract
This article considers the barriers and enablers facing Australian Greens women participating within the interdisciplinary fields of environmentalism. The thematic qualitative data analysis and supporting feminist/ecofeminist and movement literature illuminates the challenges and successes of Australian Greens women within political and everyday practices. It is argued, in this research that hu(man)kind possesses a social role and an ethical responsibility in advocating for equity and democracy within the natural and built environments. Drawing upon my contemporary data, some Australian women identified themselves as ecological feminists or ecofeminists, in that their activism was related to a feminine connection with the natural world and a belief in renewable energy versus resource-based approaches. A full-time Greens mother of three commented that a maternal identity and green versus consumer ideals enabled her to educate her family and community. The majority of participants were university educated, possessed a strong work ethic and commitment towards environmentalism, which has been found in studies of Greens women representing high levels of political engagement in North-West Europe, namely Germany and Finland (Carter, 2007: 97). Empirical data here identified a gender mix in the Australian Greens, whereby women were articulate and competent political actors with excellent inter-personal and communicational skills, whose conciliatory role lessened conflict during adversive negotiations. Older women highlighted their extensive feminist and environmental activism, and drew upon their continuous struggles for equality, fairness and policy reform; nevertheless, these women possessed expert knowledge in environmental governance and complex negotiations. A conclusive finding was that Australian Greens women viewed themselves as lifetime activists in the politics of the environment, whose ethical worldview and lobbying strategies enhanced the interrelated role of humanity towards achieving a sustainable social and natural world.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 187-200 |
Number of pages | 14 |
Journal | International Journal of Interdisciplinary Social Sciences |
Volume | 5 |
Issue number | 11 |
Publication status | Published - 2011 |
Keywords
- Australia
- Green Party (Australia)
- ecofeminism
- environmentalism
- feminism
- gender
- politics
- women and the environment
- women environmentalists
- women politicians