Chile, Solidaridad #25 - Violet Action: "We are raising an ambitious project: the National Congress for Non-Sexist Education" by Nahuel Valenzuela (ca, pt)

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In recent times, especially after social struggles of 2011-feminist organizations have 
increased strongly in student and neighborhood spaces, due to machismo and sexism are 
still very entrenched in the discourse, culture and everyday life. One more example of the 
resurgence of organized feminist movement in Chile, which has put on the table the 
discussion on abortion and the need to build a non-sexist and anti-patriarchal education. 
---- Action Violeta is a feminist organization that was born in the south of Chile. Do not 
play a year of formal existence, but have developed an intense work, realizing that the 
anti-patriarchal struggle must be fought on all fronts. Convencides the need for a 
specifically feminist and dissident sexual, organization and with the failures so far all 
organizations, particularly libertarian, had called upon anti-patriarchal, Action Violet 
took on the task of making visible the extremely sexist practices that arose within the 
left as well as the need for analysis and design of a specific policy for those claims 
that have risen from the feminist movement.

What led them to be a specifically feminist organization? What do you mean Violet Action 
by feminism?

Violet Action is an organization of people beyond our sex / gender, we recognize the need 
to organize against patriarchy, from feminism and sexual dissidence. We understand 
feminism as the struggle that has historically given for the emancipation of women, we 
conceive it as a liberating tool and not as a parallel machismo, instead, involves 
oppression of one sex over the other.

Violet Action For what classes mean in relation to feminism?

We declare ourselves against any system of oppression, that's why we call libertaries, and 
therefore we struggling against patriarchy and against capitalism. This involves 
recognizing from a class perspective, which means that while patriarchy oppresses 
everything that is not masculine, it's not manly, there is also a class differentiation in 
how we experience this patriarchal oppression, manifested for example in that only the 
poor are those who could go to jail or submit to unsafe abortion procedures involving 
risking our lives.

What do you mean by sexual dissidents?

For sexual dissidence has been understood, in recent years, a rather reactionary 
movement's call for sexual diversity organizations that have raised as MOVILH, MUMS or 
Same concept. These organizations tend to depoliticize the demands of lesbian, gay, 
bisexual and trans., Speaking of inclusion without criticism quintessential oppressive 
system todes who are not heterosexual, you are patriarchy and capitalism. Promote 
acceptance serves more to go with the gay couple at the mall Starbucks fashion no one will 
look ugly, but no real end to discrimination. We called dissidents not only because we 
like the same sex, not because we are trans, but also because from heterosexuality dissent 
occurs when the classic role of submissive woman and suitor male and receiver are not met. 
Sexual dissent, according to the analysis we have done is all identity, orientation or 
practice that challenges the boundaries and roles that patriarchy has put us to live our 
sexuality. This is very interesting, because it is a fairly new local term and against 
queer feminist or even classical theories.

Do feminists organizations have some space for debate, discussion and joint coordination 
in Region VIII? What other organizations are linked or have done some type of activities 
together?

In Concepci?n has been coordinating with other feminist organizations like Bread and 
Roses, OFL and the Committee for Sexual and Reproductive Rights, mainly in terms of 
activities for specific celebrations. The debate in our area, and mobilization, is much 
slower than in the capital and we have to understand and adapt to the reality that is 
often not as we would like. Nationally we have had coordination with The Alzada, with whom 
we have a close relationship since our founding and have supported us in several 
instances, and Bread and Roses, with whom although we have our differences politically, we 
have built joint activities and We are currently calling form the Ministry of Gender and 
Sexual Dissidence in UBB. Also with both organizations with whom you have worked more to 
lift the National Congress for Non-Sexist Education.

How have you developed your base insertion student at the University of Concepci?n?

It is a great work through VOGESEX (Gender and Sexuality Investigation Board), the body of 
the Student Federation of the University of Concepci?n. Is chosen through elections, like 
the rest of the federation, but independently to the table and the rest of the vocal?as. 
As was established late last year, this is the first VOGESEX and has been a challenge for 
our organization, as participants expanded that gives life to that space where there are 
also independent compa?eres.

In this sense, the Investigation Board has also developed an interesting project to raise 
the "1st Congress for the Non-Sexist Education" What is it?

It is an ambitious project that we are promoting nationally with compa?eres Secretariats 
North genders and sexualities, Santiago and now finally also of Valparaiso. The goal is to 
generate an input a synthesis document From the discussion in different parts of Chile, on 
non-sexist educational project we want to build, and to give it to Confech, where somehow 
sponsored the conference. We start from the diagnosis that is an issue that no one takes 
responsibility, a lack of student movement, and therefore as students and feminist at the 
same time it is our duty to do something about it.

What actions will be developed to raise the congress?

The first meeting, which will be national in character, will be here in Concepci?n with 
VOGESEX hostess, on 12, 13 and 14 September. Discuss on spindles: sexist education, 
feminism and student movement, sexual dissidence in education, sex education and sexual 
and reproductive rights, and finally gender and work. Two meetings were then made in 
Antofagasta and Valparaiso zonal basis, and we will finish the discussion by synthesis in 
a final meeting in Santiago in early October. You can find more information on the fanpage 
of the Investigation Board in facebook.com/vogesex

Violet Action To fight for feminism is a long-term task What are your projections for 
short and medium term?

We know that the anti-patriarchal struggle is one of the most backward in terms of levels 
of consciousness within social movements. We still have many companions left that practice 
and live machismo, even partners or who are against abortion, or making fun of feminism 
and ridicule us. Even more on the people and unions, where machismo is deeply rooted. 
Hence all our actions is thought to raise awareness of the implications of patriarchy, 
political, economic, social and cultural level. A student level, which is what we have 
been more developed, it is our intention with the National Congress for the Non-Sexist 
Education and therein lies its importance, the need exists to understand how it reproduces 
patriarchy from education, both at school and in families, church and media, so 
collectively find answers on how to fight this educational system that assigns roles and 
oppresses us from the cradle itself.

Related 
Link:http://www.periodico-solidaridad.cl/2014/09/13/accion-violeta-estamos-levantando-un-ambicioso-proyecto-el-congreso-nacional-por-una-educacion-no-sexista/