Ghui Al-Nakt, executive director of Greenpeace Middle East and North Africa, said the role of women in protecting the planet is vital during a Friday appearance on France 24 Arabic [1].
The conversation highlights the intersection of social justice and environmentalism, suggesting that the systems used to oppress women are the same structures that justify the exploitation of nature [1].
During the episode of the program “هي الحدث,” Al-Nakt and the host discussed the concept of eco-feminism [1]. This philosophical and political framework argues that the domination of women and the domination of nature are inextricably linked [1]. By analyzing these parallel structures, the discussion aimed to showcase how women contribute to climate action, and lead efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change [1].
The program traced the origins of the term “eco-feminism,” which was first coined in 1974 [1] by feminist activist Françoise Dubon [1]. Dubon's work established the foundation for viewing environmental degradation not as an isolated scientific issue, but as a result of systemic hierarchies [1].
Al-Nakt's participation emphasizes the specific challenges and leadership roles of women within the Middle East and North Africa region [1]. The discussion focused on how grassroots movements led by women often provide the most effective responses to ecological crises, linking local knowledge with global activism [1].
By centering the conversation on both the historical roots of the movement and current regional leadership, the program sought to redefine the fight against climate change as a struggle for broader human and environmental rights [1].
“The systems used to oppress women are the same structures that justify the exploitation of nature.”
This discussion signals a shift in environmental discourse from purely technical or policy-based solutions toward an intersectional approach. By linking the historical framework of eco-feminism to modern leadership in the MENA region, the conversation suggests that achieving climate stability requires dismantling the social hierarchies that enable both gender-based oppression and environmental exploitation.
