Empowering Change: Indigenous Women and the Fight for Justice in Bolivia

Introduction

Bolivia, a country rich in history and cultural diversity, has made significant progress in tackling issues of Indigenous rights and gender inequality. However, Indigenous women continue to face a disproportionate number of ongoing socio-political obstacles, including systematic discrimination, political instability, and economic hardship. Cycles of violence, exclusion, and marginalization are sustained by systemic obstacles and deeply ingrained cultural norms, even in the face of improvements in representation, education, and legislation. The historical and current challenges of Bolivia's Indigenous women, as well as their revolutionary contributions to political and social advancement, highlight the necessity of resolving enduring structural inequalities and amplifying efforts aimed at their empowerment.

History of Discrimination

According to the 2012 Census, 41% of Bolivians over age 15 identified as Indigenous, a figure that was projected to rise to 48% by 2017. Bolivia recognizes 38 Indigenous groups, with Quechua (49.5%) and Aymara (40.6%) peoples dominant in the Andes, comprising 16 nations, while the others (7.5%) are 20 recognized Indigenous groups in the lowlands. These Indigenous people have historically been subjected to discrimination, especially Indigenous women. Gender inequality was glaring in the past, when women were denied the right to speak, to own land, and to participate in decision-making. Indigenous languages, culture, and traditional attire were also disrespected in urban areas, forcing many Indigenous women to give up their traditional clothing to protect themselves from abuse or insults. Many Indigenous people, therefore, distanced themselves from their roots to integrate into metropolitan life. Moreover, Indigenous peoples' access to social services was also restricted, worsening their livelihood.

However, socioeconomic circumstances and Indigenous representation both improved after Evo Morales was elected President of Bolivia. During Morales’ presidency, social reforms improved women’s access to land, education, and health care, and also reduced poverty, and guaranteed equal pay for equal work. As a result, Indigenous women began to enjoy improved conditions, increased institutional presence, and increased cultural expression. 

Despite such advancements, Bolivian women continue to face systemic and ingrained cultural obstacles, and cultural perceptions make matters worse for them. Persistent views of women's inferiority affect women in rural Bolivia, and prevalent macho culture still prevents women from reaching their full potential. The "doble jornada", juggling leadership jobs and family obligations, is another challenge faced by many female leaders. Even though nearly equal representation in government was guaranteed by a 2010 parity law, harassment and violence against women in politics, especially Indigenous and rural women, remain prevalent.

Political Participation and Leadership

Bolivian Indigenous women have gone from being disenfranchised "helpers" in peasant unions to becoming leaders at all tiers of the government. This development took place during the 2006–2019 Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) administration, headed by Evo Morales. In 2015, Bolivia achieved significant gender parity in its Parliament and Senate, with 50% and 42% female representation, respectively. 

Reforms beginning in the mid-1990s, such as decentralization and quota laws, played a critical role in increasing women’s political participation. The 2007–2008 Constituent Assembly further advanced gender equity by mandating gender-alternating candidate lists, ensuring at least 33% female representation. Additionally, MAS integrated women from social movements into formal political structures, solidifying their presence in government and shaping Bolivia into a model for gender inclusion in politics. In 2022, women held over 46% of parliamentary seats and more than 50% of municipal assembly positions. 

However, traditional gender norms persist, especially in suburban and rural areas, fueling political and gender-based violence against women leaders. One example of this was found in a 2014 poll, which revealed that 68% of Bolivian men believed politically active women neglected their roles as wives and mothers. 

Violence Against Women

Violence against women is still a serious problem in Bolivia. Nearly two out of every 100,000 women were murdered in 2021, making it one of the countries with the highest femicide rates in South America. Nearly 60% of ever-partnered women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical or sexual violence in Bolivia, with Indigenous women and girls in rural areas at particularly high risk due to discrimination and limited access to support services. Although Law 348, introduced in 2013, made femicide punishable by up to 30 years in prison, its poor implementation, alongside state absence and structural impunity, disproportionately harms marginalized women, especially in urban areas like El Alto and La Paz.

Education and Labor Exclusion 

Indigenous people, especially Indigenous women, face a long history of exclusion and limited job opportunities, with poverty affecting 60% of the population and three-quarters of rural residents in the country. Many Indigenous women migrate to cities seeking work but arrive with little education or resources, making them vulnerable to abuse, discrimination, and violence.

Although access to education in Bolivia has improved significantly, there are still significant gender disparities, especially among students from rural and Indigenous communities. Indigenous females are roughly half as likely as non-Indigenous boys to complete secondary education in urban settings. Compared to their urban, non-Indigenous male peers, Indigenous women in rural settings have a five-fold lower graduation rate. Obstacles like domestic caregiving, early motherhood, and financial needs frequently prevent girls from continuing their education. Of female students between the ages of 15 and 24, 18% of non-Indigenous women and 25% of Indigenous women report encountering discrimination in the classroom. Individual potential is hampered by limited access to education, which also has a major negative impact on businesses and communities.

Despite these persistent barriers that Indigenous women face in safety, education, and employment, numerous programs and initiatives are working to challenge these inequities and foster meaningful change.

Programs and Initiatives

In keeping with national and UN aims, the UN Women's Strategic Note (SN) provides a road map for enhancing women's lives. By encouraging electoral parity, assisting with reconciliation discussions during the 2019 political crisis, and conducting groundbreaking research on women's financial inclusion, UN Women has improved gender equality in Bolivia. Additionally, it has improved responses to violence against rural Indigenous women and created models for access to justice.

Indigenous women have also played a vital role in their communities, using their knowledge to drive positive change. In Bolivia, nine Indigenous women serve as UN Community Volunteers, advocating for peace, human rights, and gender equality. These volunteers organize violence and conflict resolution meetings, including in Aymara and Quechua, resulting in nine peace agendas now part of Bolivia’s National Public Policy Agenda. A similar initiative is the CYB (Centro Yanapasiñani Bolivia), a women-led organization supported by the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women. Since 2021, CYB has been helping Indigenous Aymara women in the town of Coro Coro access justice and reclaim their rights by training them to identify and report gender-based violence through workshops on laws and justice processes. CYB also created a network of survivor volunteers to offer emotional support, counseling, and guidance in local languages, bridging Indigenous and ordinary justice systems. 

Lastly, CEFIM, a technical institute founded in La Paz in 1986, provides training in domestic work, caregiving, and gastronomy to women with at least four years of education. Its programs aim to enhance employability, self-esteem, and social inclusion. Over 5,000 women from La Paz, El Alto, and nearby areas have graduated from the institute. Graduates gain higher incomes, improve their quality of life, and often become role models, showcasing how education can transform lives and communities.

Conclusion
Bolivia's path to gender equity and Indigenous women's empowerment shows both notable advancements and persistent difficulties. True equality is still hampered by deeply rooted cultural norms, systemic discrimination, and structural barriers, even though legal reforms, greater political representation, and grassroots initiatives have given Indigenous women the chance to reclaim their rights and engage more fully in society. Together with the assistance of national and international organizations, the tenacity and leadership of Indigenous women show that significant change is achievable. Dismantling the socio-political and economic mechanisms that promote inequality, however, requires persistent dedication. Bolivia can create a more equitable and inclusive society where all women, especially Indigenous women, may prosper and contribute to the fullest extent possible by tackling these barriers.

Image Credits: 2019 Thomas Becker | Edited by GorStra Team