Enticidad, subalternidad, género y participación política: aspiraciones y estrategias de las mujeres Mayas del altiplano de Guatemala para acceder a espacios de poder

Abstract

ANTHROPOLOGY

Etnicidad, subalternidad, género y participación política: aspiraciones y estrategias de las mujeres Mayas del altiplano de Guatemala para acceder a espacios de poder Carmelina Espantzay Serech

Dissertation under the supervision of Professor Edward F. Fischer

This dissertation examines the political role of Maya women in Guatemala who, based on their ethnic and gender identity, seek to break the structures of inequality that have historically excluded them from national politics. Their subaltern position is amplified by the double discrimination (ethnic and gender) that they experience. Based on in-depth interviews, surveys, and ethnographic fieldwork among politically active Maya women, I focus on their aspirations and strategies for participating in popular elections and political spaces controlled by the Creole-Ladino ruling class. I uncover how these interethnic and gender relations converge and how Maya women politicians resist the hegemonic power structure to achieve change. The study was conducted with Kaqchikel Mayan women from three municipalities (Tecpán, Patzún, and Comalapa) seeking to hold elected office. The data and results show that the political participation of Mayan women not only contributes to ethnic and gender equality but also has helped revitalize Mayan political movements in Guatemala.