THE DIMENSIONS OF ECO-CITIZENSHIP AS SEEN BY WOMEN: KUWAIT CASE STUDY

Abstract

A general idea is that an eco-citizen is only a citizen of action. Not ideology. Although identifying as an eco-citizen is common, an eco-citizen is defined by depth and extent of action. Depth of action relies on knowledge, values, introspective abilities and personal convictions and extent relies on space, time and variety. The present research explores the perception of eco-citizenship amongst women in Kuwait. Using qualitative research, in-depth interviews were conducted with six women to explore what they know about eco-citizenship, how they reflect on themselves and their personal actions regarding their environmental decisions, and how that affects their environmental self-perception. The findings discuss why some people are more prone to making pro-environmental decisions while others are not. As the research unfolded, five themes emerged and were labeled: Relationship with nature, knowledge and awareness, personal agency, actions in different contexts (personal, local, political, social and cultural, self-awareness), and emotional motivation (guilt, shame, convenience, reward). The study revealed that eco-citizenship is intricate and the outcome of integration of all themes identified. In the context of Kuwait, eco-citizenship was deemed insufficient without socio-economic changes.