Reframing sustainability through feminist political economy: A systematic review of gendered power and environmental governance in the Global South

Abstract

This study systematically reviews the literature on Feminist Political Economy (FPE) and Environmental Governance (EG) in the Global South to uncover how gendered power relations shape sustainability outcomes. Using the PRISMA framework, this review analyzes peer-reviewed, English-language journal articles indexed in Web of Science and Scopus (2010–2025), identifying core themes such as gendered resource access, care economies in environmental policy, intersectionality, and postcolonial critiques of neoliberal governance. Findings reveal that while FPE offers valuable insights into the structural inequalities embedded in environmental systems, the literature remains fragmented across disciplines. Most studies emphasize micro-level struggles (e.g., water, forestry, or climate adaptation), yet few integrate macroeconomic analysis of policy and trade regimes. The review highlights the need for integrative frameworks that combine feminist political economy and feminist political ecology to advance inclusive sustainability policies. The study concludes by proposing a gendered sustainability model that situates care, equity, and economic justice at the core of environmental governance debates.