Week 6

One of the objectives of the project was to restore social tissue. Women's organizations in Ecuador were lost and the women's movement was divided and polarized. With an rising number of gender violence a strong and unite movement is necessary. Women who want to exercise public office and become policy makers are necessary. Creating a healthy space for debate and sisterhood was as well the objective of this project. This is why the upcoming National Encounter is so important.

Next week the finished agenda which is already in printing stage will be presented to the representatives of the women. When Margarita and Dolores traveled for the first time to Cuenca, Ibarra and Portoviejo besides having a conversation with the women and drafting the agenda they held elections for 5 regional representatives. These representatives had a alternate in case they could not travel to the locations where they are called to meet. The first meeting or National Encounter of the fifteen representatives will be held in Quito were besides approving the agenda de women will held a working table in order to sustain the bonds generated through the construction the agenda. Furthermore, the women of the working group will meet with experienced female Ecuadorian politicians who as well are part of the women's movement. The agenda will be presented to them as well and will be discussed by the two groups.

I have worked in the systematization of the National Women's Priority's Agenda. It is a large but powerful document. There are many more demands and demands specific to the particularities and needs of the different groups that cohabit the Ecuadorian territory, nonetheless these three are that I have found more prominent:

1. Women want to be educated. They want to learn about gender theory, they want to know what patriarchy is and how it affects they life. The live their life in these frameworks but they don't fully understand how they work but they want to. They want to know what rights do they have and how to exercise them and how to hold politicians accountable. They want to do the job, they want to be empower. They want to know and do.

2. Women want to work. One of the strongest and most repetitive demand in every region is economic independence and the lack of job opportunities for women. Also, the salary gap between men and women is recognized and frown upon. Women want to work, they want to be independent of parents and husbands. Furthermore, the economy of caregiving is a huge issue for women. Women "have the responsibility" of take care of children and the elderly and there is no compensation for this activity.

3. Women want to live peacefully. They are tired of gender violence, violence against women and LGBTI. They are tired of the violence and discrimination against minorities (although they do recognize they are part of perpetrating discrimination themselves). They want safe environments to move, work and raise their children.