By: Ana Victoria Portocarrero

In a speech delivered at the launch of the Feminist Edge alumni network, a professional development program for gender trainers at KIT Institute, Arturo Escobar invited us to recognise care as the foundation of life and therefore, as central to systemic radical social change. In today’s fast-paced world, where productivity and progress often overshadow the essential aspects of life, the idea of care as a revolutionary act might seem far-fetched. However, as highlighted in Escobar’s thought-provoking presentation, “Against Terricide – The Revolution of Care”, care is not just a simple act of kindness or concern—it is a profound shift in how we understand and engage with the world.

Centralising care in our lives and work as paradigm shift

The concept of care as a revolution is especially relevant in the context of gender equality and development work. For decades, these fields have often operated within paradigms that prioritize economic growth, productivity, and competition—principles that have deep roots in colonial and patriarchal structures. This approach has led to considerable progress in some areas, but it has also perpetuated harmful practices, particularly in the Global South, where development initiatives sometimes mirror the systems of exploitation they claim to dismantle. This is where the notion of care becomes revolutionary because it challenges us to rethink current paradigms and to place life, connection, and interdependence at the center of our lives and work.

According to Escobar, the idea of care as a revolutionary principle can address what he calls “terracide”. This term, echoing the voices of Mapuche indigenous populations from the South of America such as the leader Moira Millán, refers to the destruction of both the material and spiritual dimensions of life. This concept resonates deeply with the experiences of many communities around the world, such as the feminist peasant organisation Fundación Entre Mujeres (FEM) in Nicaragua. FEM’s work, which I have had the privilege to engage with, exemplifies how care can be a transformative force in both gender and agricultural practices.

How feminist peasant organisation FEM centres care in their approach

FEM views the current crises of food insecurity and climate change as symptoms of a broader conflict between capital and life. The organisation recognises that the relentless pursuit of profit, often at the expense of people and the environment, leads to a vicious cycle of land, seed, and people grabbing, which ultimately erodes the fabric of their communities. By centring care in their agroecological model, FEM challenges this destructive cycle. They focus on healing the nature-society relationship, valuing traditional knowledge, and restoring both the land and the people who work with it. Their approach is focused on the production of better, rather than more, and prioritises long-term sustainability over short-term gains.

This emphasis on care as a guiding principle extends beyond environmental practices. FEM’s work on women’s empowerment is deeply intertwined with their commitment to nonviolence and care. For FEM, empowerment does not mean simply integrating women into existing systems of power and exploitation; it means redesigning those systems to align with values of care, rest, and well-being. This is a radical departure from many gender and development projects, which often reinforce systems of violence by promoting women’s participation in models of agriculture and economic development that are inherently destructive.

Moving forward at KIT Institute and elsewhere with this novel approach

At KIT Institute, we are already beginning to integrate these ideas into our gender training programs. By centring care in our approach to gender equality and development, we are not only challenging existing power structures but also creating spaces for revolutionary thinking and being. We believe that care, as a paradigm, has the potential to transform how we engage with the world and each other.

Escobar’s presentation, and the work of FEM, challenges us as gender and development experts to rethink our approach to gender equality and development. Are we merely helping women gain access to masculinised spheres of power, or are we fostering a feminine politics of radical care, connection, and reciprocity?

As we move forward, we invite all stakeholders in the fields of gender equality, development, and beyond to join us in this revolutionary shift. Let us prioritise care in our work, recognising it as a powerful tool for systemic change. The revolution of care is already underway—are we ready to be a part of it?