Chapter 1: Sustainable Development

Title: Essentialist or constructivist views on women and nature: Which way to sustainable development?

Reference: WORLD SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OUTLOOK 2006 pp. 12 - 22

Abstract/Summary: We often hear that women are closer to and have a better understanding of nature because they give birth and, like 'mother' nature, nurture humankind. This proximity, or 'special' relationship, between nature and women assigns the latter greater responsibility to care for and recover the environment; it leads to (and is affected by) gender division of labour as well as unequal participation of women and men in environmental management and recuperation. Sustainable development is precisely concerned with environmental protection as well as gender equality. If women and men have a different (unequal) relationship with – as well as capacity to care for – nature, is sustainable development achievable? If so, under which conditions and assumptions about women's relationship to nature? The aim of this paper is to demonstrate that a constructivist, as opposed to essentialist, view of women's and men's relationship with nature is the most useful and adequate way towards sustainable development.

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