The Women’s and Feminist Movements’ Role in National Protest: a Comparative Case Study of Colombia, Ecuador, and Chile

Abstract

Abstract Colombia, Ecuador and Chile went through a wave of social protest during 2019 and then during 2021 and 2022. Evident in the revolt was the construction of a new feminist political subject that made visible new repertoires of action, both in the street and in the spaces of reproduction of the protest. The article explores the strategies deployed by women’s and feminist movements in these three countries. It first contextualizes the development of the movement in each country in order to understand its complexities, disputes and traditions. Then, from a comparative perspective, it takes stock of the contribution of women and feminisms in scenarios of social revolt and how these strategies were key to subsequent electoral scenarios. The article gathers the voices of feminist activists, politicians and women who played key roles during the protest interviewed in Santiago, Bogota and Quito.