Structures, Systems and Differences that Matter: Casting an Ecological-Intersectionality Perspective on Female Subsistence Farmers’ Experiences of the Climate Crisis

Abstract

Based on research with subsistence farmers in Kenya, this article applies a gender and ecological-informed intersectionality lens to explores how and why overlapping modes of social injustices and ecological conditions augment subsistence female farmers’ vulnerability and shape their (non)adaptive responses to the climate crisis. We uncover the inter-locking and underlying social/ecological power dynamics at macro (global; biosphere), meso (country; local ecosystems), and micro (interpersonal, personal; inter-populations/communities of organisms) levels, revealing how these human- and natural-world elements intra-act and affect consumers’ actions/vulnerabilities and undermine the effectiveness of climate-resilient interventions. We call for scholars/practitioners to identify and address intersecting global and localized power dynamics (including their own positions of power), to add a gender- and ecological-focus, and to include the voice and perspective of all participants so that solutions do not increase (gendered) inequalities/inequities or vulnerabilities.

A Macromarketing Call to Action—Because Black Lives Matter!

“…The special issue of Macromarketing, in the African Context (Dadzie and Sheth 2020), builds on the tradition in macromarketing of researching non-western societies and highlights the value of theoretical insights from non-western market systems (Ingenbleek 2020). Likewise, the special issue on gender and macromarketing aims to make visible critical gender perspectives (Gurrieri et al 2020) including articles on systemic gender inequalities and injustices, including intersectional analysis that explicitly addresses the compounding and overlapping systems of oppression (Steinfield and Holt 2020). Is this the moment for a special issue on race/racism and macromarketing?…”

Across Time, Across Space, and Intersecting in Complex Ways: A Framework for Assessing Impacts of Environmental Disruptions on Nature-Dependent Prosumers

“…Limited investments in education can contribute to low literacy levels, reducing NDPs’ able-mindedness, while under-investments in healthcare can reduce NDPs’ health and able-bodiedness. Austerity measures can also entrench power asymmetries by causing borrower governments to habitually depend on international organizations to provide funds or aid for social and ecological needs (e.g., research and development in agriculture or fishing, medicines, food) (Loewenberg 2014; Steinfield and Holt 2020).…”

“…However, neoliberalism can often thwart these efforts by holding people responsible for their own (in)abilities to access and utilize market structures: It (erroneously) assumes everyone has equal and equitable market access. Thus, efforts purported to “empower” can perpetuate class inequities, exclusions, and vulnerabilities, particularly for NDPs who may not have requisite levels of market literacy or physical and financial access to markets (Steinfield and Holt 2020).…”

“…Male violence: Reoccurring in our analysis, we find that the permissibility of men to exercise control and to subject the less powerful to threats or actual acts of rape, harassment, beatings, and oppression results in female NDPs disproportionately becoming trapped in exploitative, precarious systems of low-paid and dehumanizing labor, including human trafficking and the sex trade, when disasters occur (Kiss et al 2015; Nellemann, Verma, and Hislop 2011). Male violence also magnifies the hardships of environmental disruptions by limiting women’s access to markets (Khan et al 2018; Steinfield and Holt 2020), particularly when women are most vulnerable, such as postdisaster (Seager 2014).…”

“…Solutions can likewise focus too narrowly and reactively on readily identifiable, shorter-term problems (e.g., food shortages), drawing resources away from systemic elements that, if proactively addressed, could have longer-term and more sustainable effects (e.g., addressing barriers to market access) (FAO et al 2018; Loewenberg 2014). Such solutions can also unintentionally increase the vulnerabilities of NDPs, as important differences between NDPs (class, gender, physical/mental abilities) may be overlooked (Steinfield and Holt 2019, 2020). We posit that part of these challenges stem from the perspectives used to assess impacts of environmental disruptions.…”