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Yewande Akinola and the Ecofeminist Future of Sustainable Engineering

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For generations, engineering has been viewed as a discipline of steel, concrete, and calculations. Yet, at its heart, engineering is about people creating systems that sustain life, protect communities, and enable societies to flourish. Few embody this philosophy better than Prof. Yewande Akinola, the Nigerian-born chartered engineer whose work in sustainable water infrastructure demonstrates that technical innovation can also be an act of environmental and social care. Although she may not explicitly identify as an ecofeminist, Akinola's career reflects many of the values at the heart of ecofeminism: recognising the interconnectedness of people and nature, advocating for equitable access to essential resources, and expanding opportunities for women to lead in shaping a more sustainable future. Born in Nigeria and raised in the United Kingdom, Yewande Akinola built a distinguished career in engineering, specialising in sustainable water supply systems and large-scale infrastruc...
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Why Water Security Matters: Women, Rural Communities, and the Pursuit of Environmental Justice

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"Water is life." This simple phrase is echoed across cultures and communities worldwide because water sustains every aspect of human existence. It nourishes ecosystems, supports agriculture, enables economic development, and safeguards human health. Yet, for more than two billion people globally, access to safely managed drinking water remains a daily challenge (WHO & UNICEF, 2023). While water insecurity affects entire communities, women and girls experience its consequences most acutely. In many rural communities across Africa, women are responsible for fetching water, preparing meals, maintaining household hygiene, caring for children, and supporting agricultural production. When water sources become scarce or polluted, these responsibilities become increasingly difficult, limiting opportunities for education, employment, and economic empowerment. Water security, therefore, is not merely a technical issue of infrastructure; it is a question of environmental justic...
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Ebele Ofunneamaka Okeke – Engineering Water Justice Through Leadership and Care

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  When conversations about water security and sanitation in Nigeria arise, one name that deserves recognition is Ebele Ofunneamaka Okeke. A trailblazing civil engineer, accomplished public servant, and advocate for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Okeke has spent decades shaping policies and systems that have improved access to safe water and strengthened public institutions across Nigeria. Viewed through an ecofeminist lens, her career demonstrates that environmental stewardship is inseparable from human well-being. Ecofeminism recognizes that access to clean water, sanitation, and healthy ecosystems is deeply connected to social justice, gender equity, and the often-overlooked labour of sustaining communities. Throughout her career, Okeke championed policies that reflected these interconnected realities. Born in Nnewi, Anambra State, Ebele Okeke pursued civil engineering at the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom, graduating in 1971. She later earned postgraduate...
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Introducing the EcofemTales Knowledge Series: Advancing Ecofeminist Knowledge through Dialogue, Research, and Action

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  At EcofemTales Environmental Foundation, we believe that meaningful conversations can shape meaningful change. While stories have the power to heal, research and dialogue have the power to inform action, influence policy, and inspire collective solutions. This belief is the foundation of the EcofemTales Knowledge Series, our flagship annual programme designed to advance ecofeminist knowledge through dialogue, research, and action. The Knowledge Series is more than a webinar. It is an evolving platform where researchers, practitioners, policymakers, activists, and community leaders come together to examine some of the most pressing environmental and gender issues of our time. Through interdisciplinary conversations, we seek to bridge the gap between academic research, lived experiences, and practical solutions. Why the EcofemTales Knowledge Series? Environmental challenges are increasingly complex and interconnected. Climate change, water insecurity, biodiversity loss, envir...
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Call for Speakers: EcofemTales Knowledge Series

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Theme: Women, Water, and the Environment: Advancing Equity, Sustainability, and Climate Justice Are you a researcher, academic, practitioner, or policy expert with expertise in women, water, and the environment? We especially encourage submissions from women scholars and feminist researchers committed to advancing gender equity, environmental sustainability, and climate justice. EcofemTales invites you to present at our Knowledge Series, taking place from July to October.  We are seeking engaging presentations that contribute to meaningful conversations on women's leadership, water governance, environmental sustainability, Indigenous knowledge, climate justice, and related topics. Each session will feature: 20-minute presentation 10-minute interactive Q&A If you would like to present on any of the featured session topics, please submit: A proposed presentation title A 200–300-word abstract A short professional bio Submission Deadline : 31 July Send your proposal to: ecofemtales...
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GMO: The Ecofeminist Question

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  If we gave you something that looks like pawpaw, tastes like pawpaw, but was not derived from a natural pawpaw tree, would you eat it?  If we gave you a pawpaw seed that could grow on your soil, but always made you return to us to replant it, would you accept that deal? These questions sit at the heart of the GMO debate. GMO means genetically modified organism: a plant, animal, or microbe whose genetic material has been altered using biotechnology to produce specific traits such as pest resistance, faster growth, or drought tolerance. In principle, genetic modification can be used for many purposes, and in practice it raises important questions about ownership, control, safety, and ecological dependence. However for ecofeminists, GMO is not only a scientific issue; it is also a justice issue. It matters because it sits at the intersection of seed sovereignty, corporate control, environmental risk, and the relationship between nature and systems of human management and innova...
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About Our People

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  Ecofem Tales Environmental Foundation is an environmental organization, committed to sharing the voices of women who are passionately dedicated to healing the earth through the power of storytelling. Our mission is to create a medley of narratives that celebrate the profound connection between women and the environment, to showcase the importance of our relationship with the environment. At Ecofem Tales Environmental Foundation our work is driven by women who care for the environment and are committed to preserving the earth for future generations. About the Founder Founder & Executive Director Francisca Okwulehie Francisca Okwulehie is the founder and executive director of Ecofem Tales Environmental Foundation, an organization dedicated to amplifying women’s environmental stories and using storytelling to drive earth healing and climate action. A PhD candidate in Philosophy at the University of Lagos specializing in Afro-ecofeminism and African women’s environmental narrativ...
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