In South Asia, women have long been guardians of the home, community and planet. However, traditional cooking methods, such as open flames and wood-burning floor ovens, make them prone to burns, fires and respiratory problems. These methods also lead to environmental hazards such as air pollution and high fossil fuel consumption. Renowned Pakistani architect Yasmeen Lari has devised a solution: the Pakistani Chulah.
Source: Architectural Review/Youtube
The Pakistani Chulah is a smokeless, low cost mud lime plaster stove that protects both women and the environment. By elevating the furnace on the mud brick platform, Lari’s design provides a more hygienic and ventilated workstation while also protecting it from flooding. The stove uses half the amount of fuel normally required and can use clean-burning agricultural waste such as manure and sawdust bricks. This reduces the time women spend sourcing logs, prioritizes their comfort, and contributes to reducing their carbon footprint.
The eco-friendly design is part of Lari’s Barefoot Architecture project, which enables illiterate women to build stoves using natural materials and local practices. By leveraging local expertise and training, Lari’s projects provide women with a sustainable source of income and support a gender-responsive economy.
Larry’s humanitarian work extends beyond Chula, Pakistan. She designs basic infrastructure that meets the social, emotional and physical needs of women, including shelter, clean water, safe toilets, healthy cooking facilities and community spaces. In doing so, Larry challenges traditional notions of women’s public spaces in Pakistan while remaining culturally sensitive.
Her work could be labeled “ecofeminist” for addressing the needs of women and the planet at the same time. Ecofeminist analysis explores the parallels between women in all aspects of society and nature. By combining feminism and environmentalism, ecofeminism promotes respect for women and the environment.
In Pakistan, one of the top 10 most climate-affected countries, Lari’s work enables the construction of flood-resistant and climate-friendly housing using cost-effective and ecological local building techniques. Through her Heritage Foundation and Center for Zero Carbon Culture, women are trained to make bricks, chulahs and houses, while also learning traditional craft techniques such as making eco-friendly tiles.
Yasmeen Lari’s architecture is an act of love for the planet and the lives of women in Pakistan. She sets a precedent for architects and activists to learn from and encourage them to use their design skills to address pressing social issues. Let’s take a cue from Yasmeen Lari and think about how we can use our unique capabilities to support a more sustainable and inclusive world. Now is the time for a change!
Solution Not Pollution Sweatshirt from Tiny Rescue: Climate Collection
related information:
Simple ways to help the planet:
- Eat less meat: download food monster, the largest plant-based recipe app on the App Store, helps reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy.You can also purchase our hard copy or soft copy Favorite Vegetarian Recipes.
- Reduce your fast fashion footprint: Proactively combat fast fashion pollution and support sustainable and circular brands such as little rescue Raise awareness of important issues with recyclable zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade time and time again.
- Support for independent media: Receiving public funding gives us a better chance of continuing to provide you with high-quality content.please consider Support us By donating!
- Sign the petition: Your voice matters!Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list petition must be signed Help people, animals and the planet.
- Stay informed about: Get the latest news and important stories on topics of interest to animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health and humans by subscribing our newsletter!
- try your best: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse things, say no to single use plastic, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, stay away from fossil fuels, save water, shop smart, donate when possible, Grow your food, volunteer, save energy, compost, and don’t forget about microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!
