The Connection Between Disrespect for Women and the Destruction of the Planet
Studies suggeset an overwhelming link between climate break-down and increasing violence against women.
Conservation of Nature (IUCN) conducted a large scale study on this topic which spanned 2 years and over 1000 sources of research. They found that as environmental pressures increase, gender-based violence increases.
According to a recent Guardian news article:
“Gender-based violence is one of the most pervasive but least talked-about barriers that face us in conservation and climate work,”. “We need to take the blinders off, and pay this concerted attention.”
- Cate Owren of IUCN
The Guardian writes that ‘Owren found abundant examples of the close links between gender-based violence and the exploitation of women and girls, and the competition for resources engendered by the impacts of global heating and our destruction of the natural environment’.
Here’s some examples of this link from Owren:
Sexual abuse was found in the illegal fishing industry in south-east Asia
in eastern and Southern Africa, fishermen reportedly refused to sell fish to women if they did not engage in sex
The illegal logging and charcoal trade in the Democratic Republic of Congo is linked to sexual exploitation
In Colombia and Peru illegal mines are strongly associated with an increase in sex trafficking.
Disrespect for women links to disrespect of the planet
Have you thought about the feelings of guilt and shame when it comes to the feminine experiences such as: menstruation, child birth, menopause, etc?
For example, a young woman might feel embarrassed about her period and hide when she has it. I remember being mortified in school that blood might seep through my pants or my tampon might fall out of my bag.
The mentality that periods are shameful is destroying the planet. For example: Non biodegradable tampons and pads are polluting the planet. We simply don’t have enough menstrual education to guide young women to choose the best products and the health industry is not providing planet-friendly products (yes they exist, but not nearly enough). Brands that don’t even list their ingredients and contain know reproductive toxins are big sellers (for more about these harmful ingredients, red my blog on tampons and pads here).
The lack of education and respect for feminine experiences such as menstruation are hurting the planet
Women are sold contraceptives as a pathway to freedom. We are not guided to trust the power of our own cycle. But synthetic hormones from contraception pills pollute waters. Think about all women around the world peeing out contraceptives every day into the oceans…yikes!
Do you see the connection between the wombs of women and the womb that is the planet? It is essentially a 2-way mirror:
The rape and destruction of the planet and its natural resources = an expression of the disrespect of women and the feminine experiences.
I’m dying for the whole world to wake up and once again honour their connection to Mother Earth. This is what Wild Womb is all about.
If you’d like to read further on this topic, The Guardian has an incredible article. Click here to read.
And thank you to Uma Dinsmore for inspiring this article and her continued efforts to spread peace, awareness and respect to both our women and this planet.