Women’s participation in anti-extractivist struggles in Mexico: Analysis of seven mining conflicts

Abstract

Objective: to analyze Mexican women’s participation in mobilizations against mining extractivism by answering the following questions: what are women’s positions on the impacts of mining? What spaces are more favorable to their participation? How do they participate? What obstacles do they face while doing so? Methodology: 556 questionnaires applied in 13 communities affected by seven mining conflicts, 10 participatory workshops, interviews with key informants. Results: 1) between 68.2% and 78.1% of women perceive problems associated with mining, the more important ones being water scarcity and pollution, and conflicts within families. 2) Women are more likely to participate in community and municipal organizations in contrast with those operating at regional and state levels. 3) Female participation ranges from 12.9-26.9% depending on the context. 4) Major obstacles include lack of time, resources, mobility and precarious health. Conclusions: female presence in anti-mining movements is low because organizations are insensitive to their leadership and concerns. Efforts must be increased to render visible their gender-specific problems and place them at the center of the struggle.