Rinske with Cow

Woman with Cow

Oil on canvas

size: 60x80cm

COW

Exploitation parallel 🐄

Just as cows are exploited for milk, meat, and reproduction, eco-feminists see parallels inhow women’s bodies (especially their
reproductive and nurturing roles) have beenexploited or controlled under patriarchy.

Both women and cows are often valued mainlyfor their capacity to produce (milk/children), which eco-feminism critiques as a form of
objectification.

Some eco-feminist thinkers reinterpret “cow” positively, as a symbol of nurturing, sustenance, and connection to earth, pushing back against itsuse as a derogatory term (e.g., “she’s a cow” in
English = fat/slow/annoying).