1.5 Feminism and the Green political movement

Introduction: Relation of Feminism to the Green Political Movement

In the case of most western European Green parties, women’s rights and female empowerment has run along the values and agendas of their politics from the founding days. It has been one of the factors setting the green political movement apart from the traditional parties. This also stems from the fact that Green politics has always been rooted in grassroots activism, including women’s rights movements as well as environmental, peace and human rights movements. 

At the core of Green thinking lies the need to spotlight those fighting for a better future, and to widen the collective knowledge that determines policymaking to reflect the diversity of humanity. The green political movement is a fruitful growing bed for transformation of political and societal structures, which is the overarching objective of feminist movements too.

Gender equality does not remain only talk within the green political movements. The Greens have taken concrete measures within their own structures as well as initiated campaigns and policies within wider society to take steps towards gender equality and more diverse political representation. As a result, the Greens are the most gender-balanced group in the European Parliament, in fact the only one with a majority of women (2020); and the European Green Party has a policy of minimum 50% female representation in EGP and its constituent working groups and networks. Many Green parties and political structures across Europe are also pioneers of co-leadership models. These structurally ensure non-male representation in the highest levels of power, while also encouraging more sustainable, accessible, and balanced forms of leadership for all, as co-leaders are able to rely on each other when juggling other aspects such as family life, community responsibilities, and health.     

You will encounter more concrete examples of Green European feminist initiatives as you progress in this course. 

Sources and more information:

https://europeangreens.eu/news/gender-quota-debate

https://europeangreens.eu/news/activists-elizabeth-wathuti-tara-houska-ad%C3%A9la%C3%AFde-charlier-and-nyke-slawik-will-speak-climate

https://europeangreens.eu/womensday2020