The Hypocritical Paradox. Analysis of the Political Participation of Misak Women

The paper examines how the Colombian indigenous community Nation Misak deals with the political issues related to the protection of nature and the territory. Specifically, the paradigmatic role of women and their participation in the community are discussed, as even when referring to the community life and cosmogony, the woman is the protector and safeguarding of the natural heritage, in the private sphere and in the indigenous cabildos and organizations, women are victims of various types of violence. To investigate this, we take into account different gender practices of the indigenous community and the relationship between the Misak woman and natural resources.

This paradox becomes evident by means of a qualitative study based on four interviews conducted with four women and three men from the Misak community. As a conclusion, some new initiatives and peaceful struggle strategies adopted by the Misak women are reviewed.