2013 Articles

Indigenous Women and Violence in Colombia: Agency, Autonomy, and Territoriality

Tovar-Restrepo, Marcela; Irazabal Zurita, Clara E.

The violence and de/reterritorializing strategies used by armed groups in Colombia disproportionally affect indigenous peoples, especially indigenous women, whose ethno-gender roles, forms of territoriality, agency, and autonomy are being altered. Conflict and new forms of territoriality restrict the satisfaction of ethno-gender-based material needs and interests, with negative impacts on women’s own and their families’ lives. At the same time, they offer some women new roles, agency, and autonomy and empowerment through individual and collective action. Policy makers should strive to open up these windows of opportunity for indigenous women while protecting them from the depredations of war.