What is Vegan-Feminism?

Understanding the moral philosophy, lifestyle, and social movement.

Veganism and Feminism are seemingly two separate social justice movements that aim to liberate certain demographics. On the surface, these two movements do not intersect; however, they are more connected than you think.

The term Feminism was coined in 1830s France by French male philosopher Charles Fourier to describe an individual's feminine quality or character. Today, Feminism is officially defined as the advocacy of women's rights based on the equality of the sexes.

Feminism is widely recognized worldwide and has over five types, including Liberal, Radical, and Eco-Feminism. Arguably, the most discussed form of feminism is Intersectional Feminism, which advocates the uplifting of all people regardless of sex, race, ethnicity, religion, class, and some other defining qualities (with an emphasis on women’s empowerment). However, this form of Feminism also excludes several populations of women and females across the globe. Philosophers would like to propose a new form of Feminism: Vegan-Feminism.

Most Americans see themselves as feminists. Currently, 61% of American women label themselves feminists, yet only 2% of American women label themselves as vegans.

Veganism advocates for the liberation and equality of all living beings, regardless of species, race, gender, ethnicity, class, and all other defining qualities. Veganism, of course, revolves around the liberation of nonhuman animals used for food, clothing, entertainment, and more. But Veganism also demands the liberation of the human animals who work in industries that force them to commit acts of violence and develop severe psychological disorders and injuries while on the job. 

When we think of modern Feminism, we may imagine a woman shutting down cat-calling, receiving respect and praise at work, or caring for her children while climbing up the corporate ladder. This idea of Feminism never reaches the women working in slaughterhouses, where sexual harassment, unlivable wages, and grueling hours plague every female employee. 

Women who work in slaughterhouses tend to be minorities, with many not having citizenship in the United States. Undocumented individuals who work in ‘meat-packing’ are constantly threatened with deportation.

Slaughterhouse managers and owners have been accused of sexually harassing and assaulting their female employees. Female workers have alleged that their supervisors have purposefully brushed their genitals against them, grabbed their breasts and buttocks, and asked them for sexual favors like fellatio and lap dances. 

Women who receive this harassment are terrified to come forward. Those who do are met with an increase in insults and assault by their supervisors, a decrease in hours, and some are even fired. 

There seem to be only victims in slaughterhouses, no matter their species. The nonhuman animals who are sent to slaughterhouses are often female, as many male nonhuman animals are killed in the same place they were born, often within the same hour. Some farmers use ‘sexed semen’ when artificially inseminating dairy cows to ensure more female cows are born. 

All dairy cows are female. All egg-laying hens are female. All animal agriculture industries profit off of the exploitation and abuse of a female’s reproductive system, whether through the secretions she produces or the children she bares. 

Carol J. Adams, one of the leading voices in the Vegan-Feminist movement, speaks about the phenomenon of ‘feminized protein,’ a term she coined in her critical theories. According to Adams, “Plant protein [is] produced through the abuse of the reproductive cycle of female animals. Feminized protein is taken from living female animals, whose reproductive capacity is manipulated for human needs. The unique situation of domesticated female animals required its own term: a sexual slavery with chickens in battery cages and dairy cows hooked up to milking machines. Even though the animals are alive, dairy products and eggs are not victimless foods. This is why vegan-feminist rather than vegetarian-feminist.” 

In Carol J. Adams’ 1990-published critical theory, The Sexual Politics of Meat, she discusses how vegans and feminists are asked to “give up” parts of their lifestyle. 

“Both feminists and [vegans] are accused of negativity because they appear to require that something be given up (the most obvious trappings of femininity; the meat on the plate) as opposed to their own perspective in which they are emphasizing the positive choice (aspiring to emancipation and liberation; choosing vegetables, grains, and fruits)” (Adams, p.101). 

Feminism today doesn’t require anyone to give up anything other than sexist, misogynistic, or oppressing views toward women and females. Feminism used to be associated with burning one’s bra, abstaining from shaving and wearing makeup, and never marrying - but the movement has evolved to allow women to look and do with their lives as they please. 

Veganism, however, does require a change that omits certain ingredients, products, and industries from your lifestyle. Based on the mistreatment of women and females within animal exploitation, by definition, Feminism should include Veganism. Animal exploitation industries of any kind were founded on the same oppressive actions and views Feminism is attempting to dismantle. The mistreatment of women and nonhuman animals has coexisted since the beginning of time.

“The Sexual Politics of Meat argues that male dominance and animals’ oppression are linked by the way that both women and animals function as absent referents in meat eating and dairy production, and that feminist theory logically contains a vegan critique...just as veganism covertly challenges patriarchal society. Patriarchy is a gender system that is implicit in human/animal relationships” (Adams).

Adams explains Vegan-Feminism as “…an intervention that critiques and is visionary, that looks at individuals and at social structures, that deconstructs but also offers solutions” (Adams).

So, what is Vegan-Feminism? There isn’t an official definition yet, but over at XOXO Vegan Girl, here’s what I’ve come up with:

“Vegan-Feminism is a moral philosophy that seeks to abolish all forms of abuse, exploitation, oppression, and violence from all sentient beings with a focus on liberating women and females regardless of species.”

If you believe in Feminism, you should believe in Veganism. If you call yourself a feminist, you should be vegan. “The idea that there could be such a thing as the humane slaughter of a living, breathing, sentient being’s body — a body that does not want to die — is an oxymoron” (WMC). Another oxymoron is a non-vegan “Feminist.”