Ecofeminism in Africa: The Contribution of Wangari Maathai

Citation:

Graness, Anke. 2018. “Ecofeminism in Africa: The Contribution of Wangari Maathai.” In African Philosophy and the Epistemic Marginalization of Women, edited by Jonathan O. Chimakonam and Louise Du Toit, 189-206. New York: Routledge.

Author: Anke Graness

Abstract:

The exclusion of women philosophers and feminist theory from the history of philosophy has been widely criticised, and a number of ground-breaking research projects and publications have furthered the reconstruction of women's contributions to philosophy during the last few decades. African female thinkers and African feminist theory offer interesting insights into several theoretical areas and questions, as well as topics with political significance. One of those topics is the intersection of feminist theory and environmental protection. The most outstanding example here is the theoretical and practical work of the remarkable Kenyan scientist, feminist, and ecological and political activist Wangari Maathai, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004. This chapter reflects on her contribution from a philosophical perspective and focuses particularly on the system of ethical values which Maathai developed in her practical work for environmental protection and poverty reduction in the rural areas of Kenya, as well as in the concept of ecofeminism. 

Topics: Environment, Feminisms, Ecofeminism Regions: Africa, East Africa Countries: Kenya

Year: 2018