Hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan women have joined in protest marches
and actions defending their government.
The opposition, a US-backed wealthy elite, has locked out workers from
their factories, called for a new presidential election and is making its
second attempt to overthrow President Hugo Chavez. However, the positive
changes made by Chavez have ensured his continued popularity.
Since 1998, when he won in a landslide election, Chavez has become increasingly
popular among women, a result of the government's work to improve their
status.
As in most of Latin America, Venezuelan women face a double burden:
they suffer most from the increased impoverishment caused by International
Monetary Fund- and World Bank-imposed austerity measures, and they face
“machismo”. A particularly virulent form of sexism, machismo reinforces
the sexist stereotype that a woman's place is in the home and not in public
life.
Progressive changes made by government have been underpinned by the
constitution, which was endorsed by 72% of the population in a popular
referendum in 1999. It goes a long way towards addressing the legacy of
poverty and sex discrimination in Venezuela.
Its provisions include a commitment to strive for equal wealth distribution,
full legal and pay equality. Social security and a pension for housewives
are enshrined. It also describes housework as an economic activity that
creates surplus value and produces social wealth and well-being.
Most importantly, the Chavez government has begun to redistribute wealth.
Free health care has been established, education is free up to tertiary
level, new schools have been built at which free meals are offered at every
day. Millions of students have enrolled for the first time.
A Women's Bank has been established. The government has also put in
place a system of economic credits for domestic work for women who work
in the home. Four of the 13 cabinet ministers are women and the constitution
specifies a target of 50% women in the cabinet.
Efforts made by government to increase gender equality have opened up
opportunities for women to play a more political role. The strengthening
of the Venezuelan Women's Institute (VWI) has given women a framework to
educate and organise themselves.
The VWI, set up in 1993, was given increased funding in 1999. It was
democratised, and opened up to poor and uneducated women. It is now implementing
a “National Plan in Defence of Women”, which is targeting domestic violence,
and has set up a hotline, shelters and an education program. The government
consults the VWI on all policy matters relating to women.
Alongside other women's organisations, the VWI is leading an international
strike of women and men called the Global Women's Strike, to be held on
March 8, International Women’s Day. The strike is against war, international
poverty and violence against women.
The institute is leading the “permanent mobilisations” of women against
the anti-Chavez corporate-owned media. It has issued a call for international
support for the Chavez government, which states:
“We are on the streets backing our president and our Bolivarian Revolution.
Long live the constitution! No to the fraudulent referendum! No to the
pro-coup fascist stoppage! Don't stop for the stoppage!”
The implementation of real social reforms in Venezuela that enable women
greater access to education, health and freedom from poverty are strongly
defended by Venezuelan women. Feminists in the First World can take inspiration
from their struggle and should look for opportunities to extend our solidarity
and condemn the current attacks on the Chavez government by US-backed forces.
BY RACHEL EVANS & NATALIE ZIRNGAST
From Green Left Weekly, January 29, 2003.
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