The landlocked country of Bolivia is the poorest country in South America. Some people consider the landlocked nature of the region as one of the contributing factors for why the extermination of indigenous populations was not as severe as in other parts of the Americas, and also why Bolivians have largely retained their traditional culture. Today about half of Bolivians identify themselves as indigenous and more than 30% live in rural areas.
Women have traditionally been the most marginalized and "have been systematically denied education and formal leadership roles." Since President Evo Morales came into power as president in 2006, the indigenous leader has tried to incorporate more women into parliament and has given the indigenous population more of a voice. With the help of 200 non-governmental womens organizations, 33 women were a part of the re-founding of the Bolivian state; they helped to write the country's new constitution which was put into place 11 months ago. This Friday, the leftist leader will be sworn in for a second term. Soon, 28 women will hold seats in the parliament, a number never before seen. Morales has also promised to increase the number of women holding ministerial posts in his new cabinet. Women lawmakers are pushing for more women to hold positions in all of the branches of government. Last Tuesday, Ana Maria Romero became the first woman to ever be elected to preside the Senate.
Though some progressive and positive changes have occurred involving women's roles in the government, women are still deprived in areas of education, land rights, and human rights. Most Bolivian girls in rural regions only go as far as the third grade. Cristina Barreto, a leader from the Bartolina Sisa Federation in the country's capital says, "basically, without education there can be no rights, no creation or defense of human rights."
Image Source: United Methodist News Service
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