Mapping the patriarchy in conservation

Area of Science:

• Conservation Science
• Environmental Sociology
• Gender Studies

Background:

• Current conservation efforts face interconnected crises of biodiversity loss, habitat degradation, and climate change.
• Patriarchal norms and structures, promoting male supremacy and inequality, are underexplored factors undermining conservation effectiveness.
• These norms are central to driving environmental destruction and can be unintentionally reinforced by conservation programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze how patriarchal norms and structures negatively impact conservation effectiveness.
• To highlight the underexplored role of patriarchy in environmental destruction and conservation discourse.
• To identify specific mechanisms through which patriarchy influences conservation practices.

Main Methods:

• The study employs a critical analysis of existing literature and conservation paradigms.
• It examines case examples illustrating the influence of patriarchy across various conservation facets.
• The methodology involves deconstructing the links between patriarchal structures and environmental degradation.

Main Results:

• Patriarchy influences conservation through the precarious position of women, violence against animals, and suppression of diverse knowledge systems.
• Militarization trends in conservation enforcement and the financialization of nature are also shown to be influenced by patriarchal structures.
• Conservation programs often unintentionally reinforce patriarchal thinking, thus compromising their intended outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Questioning and dismantling patriarchal norms and structures within conservation is essential for enhancing its effectiveness.
• Achieving more effective and just conservation requires addressing gender inequality and male supremacy.
• Transforming conservation practices necessitates a critical re-evaluation of underlying social and power structures.