The feminist discourse

Eco-feminism derives from feminism, which is the theory of political, economic and social gender equality. Eco-feminism as an alternative ideology is based on the radical critique of modern society. This chapter examines the main postulates of the eco-feminist theory and reviews campaigns centred on women run by Navdanya, Vandana Shiva&s;s non-governmental organisation (NGO). Most eco-feminists are defining the role of women in society, which is subordinated and discuss further search for identity and diverse models which could better accommodate women and their special role of nature carers in modern society. A frequent argument of Vandana Shiva about the depletion of soil as a result of modern intensive agriculture is also dressed in the terminology of spirituality. Eco-feminism as a movement since its early days has focused on activism, and such activism has included fighting against genetic engineering for reproductive health and agriculture.