Week 7
- Lucía
- Jul 23, 2017
- 3 min read
We held the National Encounter with the 15 representatives and the women politicians this week. It was interesting to see how all women in Ecuador have the same demands but express them in different terms. Within the agenda of priorities the main priorities they all show urgent concern for were:
1) Gender based violence
2) Employment for women and the economy of caregiving
3) Empowerment of women and women in public office
4) The need for union and one women's movement and one agenda
It was a two day encounter. The first day the 15 representatives evaluated the agenda, make the changes they consider proper and then approved the agenda. That same day we talk about the importance of the working group and of fostering the bonds generated during the construction of the agenda. A WhatsApp group was generated so all the representatives could stay in touch, as well ground rules for the group were generated. When we talked about the importance of being in touch we endorse the importance of social tissue, of civil society movements, of public office accountability towards, we talk about the role women have in policy and the importance of our participation. Women understand the importance of all the things discussed nonetheless expressed how hard it is form them to have a full time job, run a household and be part of civil society movements. They talk about the lack of payment when getting involve in social issues and how it was hard for them to be a constant part of the movement. Alternatives were discussed.
On the following day we received the long time, women politicians. The women who were invited the second day live in Quito and have a long history of being part of the women's movement. Together both groups of women revised the agenda and express they priorities. Then they talk about the future of the country and the future of the women's movement. They set on stone they priorities and each of them gave recommendations to the other group and also thank and recognize the work of the other. Both groups although with different backgrounds, stories, hours of travel, and particularities are part of the Ecuadorian society that all of us are trying to improve and develop in a sustainable manner. The women of the working group call out the long time politicians and reminded them that "it's of no use to have women in public office they forget about women's need country and in the streets of their cities". Women with a history in the women's movement remind the 15 representatives that the road towards change is not defined by policies but on the how policies are being applied and how our culture is welcoming the policies stablished to modify our societal behavior. Furthermore, the work we all do as part of society was stressed by both parties.
In the end the agreement was to foster the work of the women's working table, to support two women that were present in their candidatures to public office and promote the agenda in all necessary spaces. The objective of part of the group was to present the agenda to the legislative branch. Women were organizing themselves to present the agenda to the President of the National Assembly of Ecuador.
On a personal note, one of the participants who came from one of the most distant provinces brought her 10 year old daughter. When asked if she would like to send the child to her bedroom to rest (we provided a room for them since it was a two day event) or if she would like as to bring some didactic material for her to play she told us "No, is important for me that she is here. She needs to hear this". That was extraordinary, mothers forming daughters. It has being like this forever. Furthermore, at the end of the first day after presenting the agenda, discussing about it approving it and then discussing the importance of social tissue and the struggles women face we were all tired. Nonetheless, the same little girl came to me and gave me a piece of paper that said "Lulu transfomando" (Lulu transforming) it made the whole day worth it. Next day she gave me another piece of paper and this one said "Mahsi Lu", mashi in Kichwa (one of the languages she spoke) means companion. Those two pieces of paper reminded me why I came to Harvard and all the work that lies ahead, it also reminded me of all the worth in that work.
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