Paper: Gender Equality through the Prism of
Ecological Virtues in ‘Laudato SI’
Abstract
Equality
and justice are not only the fundamental right of every human being
as human rights but it is also mandatory for a just society, for ‘a peaceful,
prosperous and sustainable world’. Because of the natural nexus between women
and nature, the interconnection between ecological crisis and gender
discrimination is a subject matter of many studies and analysis. In the
contemporary context, the question on gender equality expands its borders from
male and female to transgender and gender queer people. This paper
aims to facilitate a discussion on gender equality through the prism of
ecological virtues elucidated in the encyclical of Pope Francis, ‘Laudato si’. Virtue is the quality of
the inner goodness of a person which primarily concerned with the role of a person’s
character formation and fundamental being. Hence the
language of virtue is more appropriate for the discussion of gender
equity than the impersonal language of many other concepts. In order to address
the most perennial questions of our time apart from the cardinal virtues
ecological virtues such as fidelity, respect, friendship, justice, love, care,
sustainability, value of littleness, etc. that is explored in ‘Laudato si’ would be a meaningful tool. In ‘Laudato si’, Francis calls for a
‘holistic ethic’ and ‘ecological integrity’ that insists the dignity of human
as well as non-human world. He further makes a pledge for a new dialogue for
‘the shaping of the future of our planet, wherein we have to enter into
conversation that would include every one (LS 14),
including non-human
creatures and ecosystems (LS 118,
140). It
further invites us to review and renew the current misguided anthropocentric
and patriarchal paradigm with a broader vision of common good wherein the intrinsic value of nature is recognized and respected paying special
care and attention to small and little beings including women, children and
indigenous people. The type of ecological conversion’ that ‘Laudato si’ calls us to embrace, prompt us to
be driven by a desire to become better, more compassionate people, rather than
by a feeling that we ought to do our bit for the environment and the oppressed
people. In a nutshell, together with our obligation to use the earth’s goods
responsibly, we are called to recognize living beings irrespective of their
gender, colour or race.
Saji Mathew Kanayankal CST, a member of the Little Flower Congregation, holds a doctorate in Theological Ethics with specialization in Environmental Studies from the Catholic University Leuven, Belgium. He engages in teaching and guidance in various educational institutions and seminaries, writes articles in periodicals and books, and presents papers in seminars and symposiums in the fields of interests are ecology, ethics, religion and social justice. His publications include Beyond Human Dominion: Ecotheology of Creation and Sabbath and several articles in academic journals.
