India: eco-feminism changes perceptions

Image by nevil zaveri via Flickr

In a country that traditionally looks at a girl child as a burden, a small village is challenging perceptions of women with an eco-feminist initiative

The village of Piplantri in the western state of Rajasthan plants 111 trees for every girl born into the community in a tradition began by its former leader, Shyam Sundar Palawal, in 2006. In addition to this, a sum of Rs. 31,000 is raised by villagers and the parents for each girl for a 20-year fund, thus reducing the financial strain otherwise placed onto parents. The ‘burden’ of having girls because of the inevitable marriage dowries is alleviated. The sapling planted—often fruit trees—provide resources to the village for its entire population.

In rural India, in particular, where the custom of dowry is still prevalent, a girl child is not welcomed into the family. As a tradition that has come to be interpreted as compensation for the burden of another woman on her new husband’s family, dowries have harmful cultural as well as financial significance. They associate women, even at birth, with great financial strain and a sense of inconvenience to her community. Piplantri’s eco-feminist initiative, then, is a movement seeking to ease the financial strain placed upon families, and to undermine the very notion of girls being a burden from birth.

The tradition has great significance for women and the environment. In addition to the funds raised for the girl from the community, her parents sign an oath that promises to ensure that their child receives an education and reaches the age of 18 before she is married. This gesture in itself is a move towards protecting young girls from forced marriages and the high levels of sexual violence that can be a part of it. The initiative also strives towards equal education for both sexes—a significant step in the direction of gender equality.

Additionally, the planting of trees ensures that the local environment will not suffer at the expense of a growing village population. The trees are cared for and protected, and used for resources for the expanding population of the village. By linking the trees to the birth of a girl, the village of Piplantri makes an important change to the perception of women in India, associating them with the blossoming of natural life. It also makes a point about the integral role women play in society, not merely as wives, but as active members of the community with the right to education and a full childhood.

Originally published on The Global Panorama.