World International Women’s Day: Animal Exploitation is a Feminist Issue
March 8th marks International Women’s Day, a moment to honour all women and to recognise how struggles against oppression are deeply interconnected. At Animal Law Focus, we take this opportunity to reflect on the intersections between feminism and the movement for animal liberation, highlighting why animal exploitation is, at its core, a feminist issue.
As a woman and the founder of Animal Law Focus, I stand on the shoulders of those who came before me—women who have challenged systems of oppression, proving that change is possible. Their courage and leadership inspire us to continue dismantling injustice, not only for humans but for all beings subjected to exploitation.
Historically, women have been objectified, commodified, and subjected to forced labour, their bodies treated as resources to be controlled. The echoes of this oppression extend beyond our species. Female animals in industrial systems endure systematic violations—forced pregnancies, reproductive exploitation, and the relentless extraction of their bodies’ capacities for profit. Just as patriarchy and capitalism have shaped the subjugation of women, they also fuel the mass exploitation of non-human females.
Recognising these parallels is not just a matter of academic interest—it is essential to understanding the full scope of systemic violence. The fight for feminism and the fight for animal liberation are not separate struggles; they are deeply intertwined.
Animal Exploitation is a Feminist Issue
The objectification of animals permeates throughout our language and culture: chickens raised for their flesh are named after their cooking method (broilers), animals are not ‘killed’ or ‘slaughtered’ but ‘harvested’, and slaughterhouses are sanitised as ‘processing plants’. In a recent interview, activist Karolina Skowron summarises the connection between the objectification of women and of non-human animals:
“Both animals and women live in systems of violence in which their bodies serve somebody else. That is why when we allow any group of species to be objectified, we agree to the process of objectification itself.”
The importance of this point cannot be overstated. By consenting to and taking part in a system in which animals are commodities—objects of use rather than individuals—we are implicitly accepting the possibility of objectifying living beings in general. So long as we allow this “process of objectification” with respect to non-humans, it is far easier for it to also take place in the case of oppressed human groups.
Moreover, today’s animal farming industries are built upon the exploitation of the reproductive capacities of female non-human animals. In the dairy industry, cows are forcibly impregnated, and when their calf is born, they are taken away within days so that their mother’s milk can be extracted for human consumption. The egg industry is also designed to take advantage of the reproductive system of females, with hens being selectively bred to effectively become laying machines, at the detriment of their bodily well-being.
In The Sexual Politics of Meat, Carol Adams extends this link by pointing to the gendered advertising pervasive in the meat industries. On her website, Adams has collected examples of advertising that demonstrate the connection between the oppression of animals and of women. Here, we see the simultaneous objectification of animals’ bodies and women’s bodies, and the strong association between a traditional, toxic form of masculinity and the consumption of animal bodies.
Dr Jane Goodall, the renowned naturalist who transformed primatology with her groundbreaking research, has written that she “used to dream as a man” because the things she wanted to do—travel to Africa, live with wild animals, write books—simply weren’t done by women at the time. Yet, the incredible career that Dr Goodall has forged did not require her to be a man. In fact, traditionally feminine qualities such as patience and kindness—whether a product of genes, societal forces, or a mixture of both—helped her secure her first role working with chimpanzees. Looking forward to the future of animal advocacy, her positive message is one of which all animal advocates should take note:
“[M]any women who have succeeded have done so by emphasising their masculine characteristics. But we need feminine qualities to be both accepted and respected and in many countries this is beginning to happen. I love that the new movement involves women joining their voices together on social media, thus giving a sense of solidarity.”
Animal Law Focus’s Commitment
At Animal Law Focus, where 63% of our team are women, we recognise that the exploitation of animals—especially female animals—is deeply tied to the same systems of oppression that harm women. Through our regulatory advocacy, research, and corporate work, we challenge industries that profit from the reproductive exploitation of female animals, such as factory farming and industrial aquaculture. We push for stronger regulations that protect animals, fight for corporate commitments that disrupt exploitative business models, and expose the forces that sustain these injustices. By integrating feminist perspectives into our work, we aim to dismantle the legal framework that treats sentient beings as mere resources, advocating for a world where both human and non-human females are free from systemic violence and control.
At the same time, we are committed to ensuring that our own organisation reflects the values we fight for. We actively work to create a safe, inclusive, and empowering environment for women within our team, fostering a workplace that is free from discrimination, harassment, and gender-based barriers. This includes implementing equitable policies, valuing diverse leadership, and providing professional development opportunities, mentorship, and flexible structures that accommodate caregiving responsibilities and work-life balance. We recognise the unique challenges women face in the animal advocacy movement and strive to make Animal Law Focus a space where they can lead, thrive, and drive meaningful change. Just as we challenge systemic injustices in the world, we hold ourselves accountable for ensuring that our organisation is a model of equity and respect.
So, on this International Women’s Day, we are reflecting on what we can do as an organisation not just to further the plight of women, but also that of non-human animals. Women will be at the forefront of the animal liberation movement, and we want to help create a world where all women and girls feel empowered to lead the fight for what they believe in.
Written by Sabina Bravo and Dylan Holmes Cowan.