Memories of Resistance and Struggle: Indigenous Women of Ecuador in October 2019

Abstract

This article explores the memories of resistance and struggle of the indigenous women who participated in the October 2019 uprising in Ecuador. Through interviews with indigenous women from the highlands and the Amazon region, the study covers the period between the enactment of the decree that triggered the protests and the signing of the agreement between the government and the indigenous movement. The study employs the intersectionality of race, class, sexuality, and gender to delve into the memories of resistance and struggle that have often been hidden and silenced. Through this lens, the research reveals the complexity of social and political dynamics within indigenous communities, highlighting how women not only actively participate in mobilizations but also contribute to the reorganization of political and social processes within their communities. The work emphasizes that, although the solution to power tensions does not solely lie in contesting power with men, there is a political consciousness among indigenous women that drives the restructuring of organizational and community practices. By transcending the family sphere, both the ayllu and the organization of mobilizations reflect a broader and more complex social structure, where women play a strategic role in the fight for justice and equity.