The most important issues facing us today are underlined in big red markers for women. The deepest concerns that are facing us, population control, climate change, leadership and flexibility in the workplace call out to women to take charge.
Did you know that in all areas of the world when women can make decisions about population control the rate of population has gone down? When we can take charge of our bodies and know what is right and how much we can handle in terms of birthing children, most will opt for fewer, healthy children who can be given the time and nurturing they deserve.
Climate is a woman’s issue. When the floods and droughts ravage the land it is the women who are most often left with the tedious tasks of maintaining some semblance of order.
It is a strong responsibility of women to be heard because we know that the “dominate and conquer” model of living, of making a living is not sustainable. We know we are part of nature not separate from it.
The movement that is spearheaded by women at this time is called “ecofeminism” or “deep ecology”. It includes men, invites men as partners to rethink what we are doing to the planet, why we continue to put work ahead of family, ahead of raising the next generation, how much is enough, what really matters.
We are not here to become like our men. We are here to cooperate with them in a new and more productive way. Younger women are looking to those who have made it, have successful careers and families that thrive to give direction. That is our legacy, not just to our own children, to all those who come after us.
So, put on your thinking caps. It’s interesting that as a species we not only can think, we can think about what we are thinking. We can spend time being thoughtful and finding those coming u behind us to mentor, to dialogue with and also to listen to.
This is our time to reach out to our men, to our colleagues, to those junior to us and talk about what we have learned. Those before us began the march to equal opportunity; to vote, to work, to procreate on our own terms, to leave a legacy to be proud of. Now as we reach into the deepest aspects of helping Mother Nature restore herself it is our time to lead.
Sylvia Lafair
Sylvia Lafair, PhD, is President of CEO – Creative Energy Options, Inc., a global consulting company focused on optimizing workplace relationships through her exclusive PatternAware™ Leadership Model. Dr. Lafair is the author of Don’t Bring It to Work: Breaking the Family Patterns That Limit Success published by Jossey-Bass. As an executive coach and leadership educator, she has more than 30 years of experience with all levels of management from leading corporate officers of global companies to executives of non-profits and owners of leading family-owned businesses. She is now offering GUTSY Women Weekends, giving women the opportunity to dialogue and clarify next steps.
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Hi,
I really like your post! Never heard of ecofeminism before, but it make sense to me. I am an expat living in a tropical country and it makes me so sad to see that more and more rainforest is logged to build houses or new palm oil plantations. I support a local group here and at home I run a little nursery in my own garden.
Greetings from Malaysia!