Women of Venezuela Empowering Through Feminism and Popular Movement

In a world where women aren't just leading local revolutions in Venezuela, but also making a significant impact on the political stage worldwide, their everyday experiences continue to shape the narrative. Women, being primarily responsible for care labor, have transformed community life into a collective, necessary endeavor. Their resilience and determination are evident, particularly in Venezuela, where they spearhead political struggles, from everyday life to broader collective processes.

During the Conference of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America-Peoples' Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP) and the National People's Consultation ¡Proyectos del pueblo! in more than 49,000 communal councils across 24 states of the country, women demonstrated their indomitable spirit. Here's a taste of their organizing and mobilization experiences in building a society centered on life, far from the clutches of violence.

Women and Public Participation

The Bolivarian revolution has been marked by the practices of people power, and the communes proudly serve as a testament to this social organization. With more than 3,000 communes registered since the Organic Law of Communes was passed in 2010, people's power is evident in each commune's structure, including communal councils for self-organizing purposes. At the highest level of local deliberation, the citizens' assembly, individuals gather to map demands, define priorities, and organize their communities.

On April 21st, 2024, a monumental process for the organization of people power occurred in these communes for the first time. Citizens voted to decide which projects should be given priority in their own communes, with each commune presenting seven projects, and each citizen having the right to vote for one of them to be executed with federal funds.

The importance of how a project is executed cannot be overlooked. The funds are transferred to each commune's account, which manages everything, from assessments and structure-building with their own labor power, to prioritizing materials produced within the commune. Women make up a staggering 80% of the people engaged in these movements, cementing their crucial role. This phenomenon was evident at balloting spaces and centers, where local female leaders, connected to the needs of the community, welcomed us.

Many of the presented projects revolved around providing clean water, improving home structures, and building collective spaces, like auditoriums. In the communes, women ensure the sustainability of life in the broadest sense, working tirelessly to organize communal feminism.

Transformative Experiences

Beyond territory-specific concerns, Venezuelan women are actively involved in several fronts, working to ensure the sustainability of life. One such experienced community work is the TRAMUCO Cooperative Production Unit, which was established in 2023. The collective of 45 women members, hailing from the parishes of Antímano, La Vega, Sucre, Altagracia, San Agustín, Coche, and Valle, organize a community-based, participatory solid-waste management system.

Incorporating the cooperative work proved challenging initially, but the women persevered, gradually recognizing themselves as members of the organization. The collective allows members to engage in wisdom exchange and solidarity, focusing on job training and political education for women.

Venezuelan women's organizing efforts are empowering the Great Venezuela Women Mission (Gran Misión Venezuela Mujer-GMVM) through public policy projects and initiatives focused on women's rights and combating sexist violence.

The March 5 Commune and the Weaving Women Collective

The Eternal Commander March 5 Socialist Commune, home to around 5,000 people, features the Women and Gender Equality Management Committee, consisting of women from the seven communal councils that govern the commune administration. Embracing the principles of communal feminism, these hardworking women prioritize the sustainability of their communities by focusing on rights, protection, and education regarding gender-based violence and reproductive health.

The Women's Network, as they refer to their collective efforts, weaves together the lives of community members, one thread intertwining with another, regardless of geographical distance. One of their flagship projects, Ruta de Flores, offers a three-pronged approach to women's health, combatting violence, and education and information. The work involves disseminating contraceptive methods, expanding knowledge about sexual health, and promoting communal feminism through regional meetings with women from the communities.

These grassroots initiatives, which stem from local communities and aspire to build popular power in conjunction with public policies, exemplify the strength of Venezuelan women. Their radical organization ensures change, not just for women but for everyone, demonstrating the power of communal feminism as a path towards building the society they dream of.

The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Venezuelanalysis editorial staff.

Photos by Ana Priscila Alves and Bianca Pessoa.

Edited by Helena Zelic, translated from Portuguese by Aline Scátola.

Translation edited by Venezuelanalysis.

Source: Capire

Enrichment Data:

Venezuelan women are at the forefront of community organizing, leading initiatives such as communal feminism, which emphasize dismantling gender hierarchies in communal councils and promoting collective decision-making. While they face challenges like systemic violence and economic sanctions, their efforts remain crucial in addressing gender-based issues and building alternative systems outside state and opposition frameworks.

The Eternal Commander March 5 Socialist Commune, with a female-led Women and Gender Equality Management Committee, is a testament to the organizing power of Venezuelan women, as they prioritize sustainable communities, focusing on rights, protection, and education regarding gender-based violence and reproductive health.
Venezuelan women's grassroots initiatives, such as the Weaving Women Collective's Ruta de Flores project, aim to combat violence, educate on sexual health, and promote communal feminism through regional meetings with women from different communities, showcasing their impact on building popular power.
Resourceful women cooperatively manage waste in their communities, like the TRAMUCO Cooperative Production Unit members, who established a participatory solid-waste management system across multiple parishes in 2023, embodying the resilience and organizing skills of Venezuelan women.