7552 COHA Report, Women’s Rights in Chiapas: Future Made Possible by the Revolutionary Law

Since 1994, Mexico’s Zapatista movement has expanded well beyond the borders of the country’s southernmost and poorest state of Chiapas. In many ways, the factors that started and now sustain the movement are similar to those of other resistance movements characterized by human rights violations, lack of access to health care and education, gender inequality, and a variety of land disputes. However, one differentiating aspect of the Ejercito Zapatista de Liberación Nacional (EZLN) movement has been its female leadership. Even before EZLN forces entered the city of San Cristóbal de las Casas on the morning of January 1, 1994 to protest against Mexico’s membership to NAFTA, the women of Chiapas had set off an indigenous rights movement more powerful than anyone could imagine at the time. The vision and dedication with which these indigenous rebels advocated the EZLN ideals exposed the rest of the world to the movement in the jungle of Chiapas.

While female insurgents have been critical to the Zapatista rebellion, the groundwork for their ascent to power comes primarily from EZLN’s male leadership. On International Women’s Day, March 8, 1996, Subcomandante Insurgente Marcos made a global address stating, “If there is to be a [future], it will be made with the women, and above all, by them.” Breaking away from centuries-long traditions, he confirmed the development of changes in the indigenous communities that empowered Mayan women to become activists and leaders.

This analysis was prepared by COHA Research Associate Alena Hontarava.