7959 - Indigenous Women as Political Leaders in the Peruvian Amazon region

Since the 1990s, the number of indigenous women assuming leadership positions at local communities, regional and national indigenous organizations, and in state offices has increased exponentially. A distinctive number of these women have acquired a high-profile political status, both within their communities and in their regions. In these paper I will discuss some of the challenges confronted by these indigenous women leaders. I will pay special attention to the process through which they became leaders. I will also discuss how they have managed to advance in their political careers; how they relate to male indigenous leaders; how they have solved the gender, ethnic and inter-generational tensions; and what new challenges they envision in the near future for female indigenous leaders.

Palabras claves: "Indigenous people" "leadership" "politics" "indigenous women" "Peruvian Amazonia"

Autores: Espinosa, Oscar (Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru, Peru / Peru)