Terms

Institutional economics
WID
ecofeminism
liberal feminism
essentialize

WID - neoclassical economic/liberal feminism

How to involve women in the development process?
goal: increase productivity
ignores institutions (which cause policies to fail)

ecofeminism - environmental/radical feminism

Violence to nature = violence to women
development associated with environmental destruction
goal: return to traditional women based knowledge and treatment of the environment

both views essentialize women/suggest reductionist solutions

WID oversimplifies relationship btw poverty and environmental degradation and focuses on women, instead of gender.

Ex: firewood vs. charcoal
female/male
Gender only mentioned when women are involved!
Charcoal more damaging, but firewood gets more emphasis.

Ecofeminists on the other hand, stereotype women's relationship to nature, and ignore the plight of men who may also be impacted by environmental changes.

Need context!

Institutional economics:

"Economies are social organizations for the provisioning of society."
Meaning: Economists need to take into account the role culture plays in shaping economic outcomes.
Institutions are defined as: culture/norms/way of thought or habit (eg gender, religion)

Institutional economics - the idea that one cannot always have universal theories - one must also take into account role of culture.

She provides three examples:

Chipko - treehugging movement in India
Green belt in Kenya - tree planting -

In both these cases, women's role in subsistence ag/managing the environment led to the form of their activism

Solid waste management in Mexico - women more involved in urban/paid employment

How are these three influenced by institutional factors?

Role of location?
Urban/rural
type of work?
Role of religion?
Role of policy?
differences in policies/livelihoods

Ex: Notion of private property is culturally defined, not innate.
Religion may define relationship to environment/nature.