Course Description

“The world’s women are the key to sustainable development, peace, and security,” U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon declared at the State of the Planet meeting held by Columbia University’s Earth Institute, in 2010. In many regions, women and children remain the most vulnerable to climate change and environmental degradation, since they are largely responsible for obtaining food and water for their families. Moreover, due to gender inequality, women usually are less mobile and have access to fewer income-earning opportunities. Nevertheless, as Women’s Environment & Development Organization explains, women not only are placed “on the front lines of crisis” but they also stand “on the front lines of change.” As main resource managers in many families across the world, women – and their experience – should play a central role in devising solutions and adopting sustainability. With many female influencers driving the effort to maintain sustainable development and alleviate climate change, the significance of women, their liberties, and their contributions is invaluable. Thus, what are the different links between women’s rights, environmental justice, and sustainability? How are these connections described from various perspectives, such as the ecofeminist movement? What solutions do they offer? What are possible methods of achieving gender equality and alleviating climate change, in the near future? Throughout this course, I aim at exploring and trying to answer these questions, as well as posing new ones. By utilizing novels, research studies, articles, and organizations’ statements, I will analyze connections between environmental sustainability and women’s liberation and empowerment. While exploring course materials, I will maintain a Google Doc journal, to take notes about lessons learned and ideas discovered, as well as practice my history and creative writing skills. In addition, I am also hoping to create an opinion piece for The Lawrence, on a related topic, to help Lawrenceville’s community explore the issue of women’s rights and sustainability.