Intersectional ecofeminisms: Fighting for a "safe space" in climate activist circles in Istanbul and Cairo


Rezvaneh Erfani, University of Alberta

In this paper, I discuss my explorations on gender and environmental and climate activism in Istanbul and Cairo through an intersectionality theoretical lens. My main argument is that climate activism in the Middle Eastern context is inseparable from feminist activism. I draw on 40 in-depth semi-structured interviews that I conducted with Egyptian and Turkish environmental and climate activists. Many women mentioned their experiences of sexual harassment within activist groups or because of their activism. In this presentation, I explore their stories with an intersectional lens and showed how these strong women claim safe spaces within and beyond activist circles. I also address these stories of resistance and resilience and how these women activists change and challenge gender roles and norms in the larger society. 

This paper will be presented at the following session: