Feminists for a new Constitution in Chile: forging progressive alliances in times of crisis

Abstract

This article explores the impact and influence of the feminist movement in Chile on the draft of feminist progressive ideas in the Constitutional process of 2021, emerging as a consequence of the social uprising of 2019. Central to this analysis is the pivotal role played by what I term ‘feminists-in-movement’ and ‘feminists-in-power’, delineating the common narratives between grassroots feminist organisations and those individuals advocating within formal political structures, such as political parties and governmental bodies. While the Constitutional draft embodied numerous feminist perspectives, this article focuses on elucidating the feminist political influence by analysing two key proposals included in the 2021 Constitutional draft: care rights and gender-focused politics. The proposals serve as exemplars illustrating the power of political collaboration in pushing progressive agendas during societal upheaval. By dissecting these proposals, this article underlines the significance of forging alliances between different feminist factions, underscoring their collective ability to advance transformative policies during moments of crisis.