Køn og deltagelse i oprindelige folks territoriale forvaltning - et eksempel fra Lomerío i Bolivias lavland

Abstract

This thesis investigates gender relations and political participation in the indigenous territorial management of Lomerío, 300.000 hectares of land in the Bolivian lowland forest. Lomerío was officially proclaimed as Indigenous Community Lands in 2007, when president Evo Morales handed over the title deed to the lomerianos, after their demand had been processed for years in the National Land Reform Institute (INRA). Since 2001, however, the territorial management process in Lomerío has been funded by DANIDA, through local indigenous organisations. The indigenous territorial management is considered by the indigenous organisations to be an instrument leading towards autonomy and self-determination for the indigenous peoples. It comprises several areas; territorial control, natural resource management, productivity, basic services, education and health, as well as gender and culture. With regards to gender, the Territorial Management Plan for Lomerío contains the specific objective to improve women’s participation in political power and decision-making, and the analysis shows that much has been done to achieve this. In example, Lomerío is one of the Indigenous Community Lands with the highest number of women authorities, although they are still far from equaling the number of male authorities. Also, women’s participation is concentrated in certain areas of the management, namely health,education, handicrafts and gender, while women participate very little in forestry activities and natural resource management. The female leaders meet some resistance towards their leadership, especially from the older generation in Lomerío, who claim that these women are abandoning their families and responsibilities. Very often, as a matter of fact, the women who do engage in politics and administration have no husbands or many problems at home.