“To be indigenous women means that we have thoughts, that we have dignity, and that we need rights.” Dissident Women Ch 3

Key Themes
•Agrarian struggles became the center of the social programs.
•Women’s experiences are the basis for the political formation of those who comprise the women’s movement in Chiapas today.
•Women have been active in a wide variety of peasant organizations but they did not make gender demands of form part of the leadership.
•Women’s political involvement became increasingly strong after the Zapatista uprising.
•In the 1980s catholic doctrine taught appreciation of women’s roles so that women could take an active role in the struggle against exploitative conditions.
•Both the CIOAC and the EZLN marches and their names are the continuation of the organized struggle against oppression and discrimination in Chiapas.
•Women march carrying their children, food, and belongings and widows are thought to have it harder because they have no home or support in the march.
•In the CIAO the prevalent image of females was that of submissive women.
•(Speed, Castillo & Stephen, 2006, p. 107).

Important Quotes
•“To be indigenous women means that we have thoughts, that we have dignity, and that we need rights” (Speed et al., 2006, p. 107).
•“Conscious” participation on the part of women could strengthen the group, the organization, and the community” (Speed et al., 2006, p. 97).
•“The church has always been involved in formulating ideas about women and their role in different social settings” (Speed et al., 2006, p. 100).
•“…we will talk to congress to ask them to include indigenous rights and culture in their constitution…That’s why we march…” (Speed et al., 2006, p. 107).

Thoughts/Reaction/Reflection
I think it is unfortunate that although it was the women who did most of the activism, it was the men who were seen and got the credit. At the same time this is how many cultures work today. The man is believed to be at the forefront of the struggle, he receives the credit however, it is most often the women who are putting in the hours, doing the work, but receiving little or no credit. But I think by not making a big issue out of this injustice women accomplish more. Sadly, women understand that if they want to get things done they need to just go ahead and do it and not wait for backup or recognition. Throughout history women have largely been ignored and I don’t believe that is changing but without the work done by women none of us would be here. The same holds true in Chiapas I believe. The women have been struggling for rights to support their families and through their work they have been able to keep their families afloat however, it has been the men taking credit for this work all along.

Reference
Speed, S., Castillo, R. & Stephen, L. (2006). Dissident women: Gender and cultural politics in Chiapas. University of Texas Press