“For me, the cutting edge is the political participation of women in Venezuela. We are at the forefront of the feminist political struggle.”
Interview with Tatiana Vizcaya, Second Consul at the Consulate of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in Vancouver.
In February, Fire This Time sat down with Tatiana Vizcaya, Second Consul at the Consulate of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in Vancouver. In order to mark the occasion of International Women’s day, we discussed the gains that the women of Venezuela have made within the Bolivarian revolutionary process, and the leading role that women are taking on in Venezuelan society today.
Fire This Time: Thank you very much for making time to do this interview with Fire This Time, even though I know you are very busy right now. We were excited to learn that a young Venezuelan was going to be working at the Venezuelan Consulate here in Vancouver, and today I am looking forward to sitting down with you to talk about women in Venezuela. Since beginning in 1998, the Bolivarian revolution has created great gains for oppressed people, and especially for women. Now that March 8 International Women’s Day is almost here, we wanted to take advantage of this and to do an interview that is focused on women’s revolution in Venezuela.
Ms. Vizcaya: I am very grateful to have come together for this occasion. Thank you on behalf of my government as well.
FTT: Thank you again for this opportunity. One of the most important advancements made by women in Venezuela is the establishment of the Venezuelan Ministry for Women and Gender Equality. Can you tell us more about the work of this ministry and the “Mama Rosa” Plan?
Ms. Vizcaya: The ministry was created in the Bolivarian process thanks to Comandante Chávez, who placed great emphasis on gender relations, equality and the protection of the family as the basis of society.
Venezuela is, for me, a country of women. Let me give you an example of this. In my household there are four women. Before 1998, only one of us worked, only one of us was included in the economic system. Now, after the arrival of President Chávez, all four of us are working. It is a great achievement.
Another thing that I can tell you is that the Ministry of Popular Power for Women and Gender Equality is responsible for mainstreaming a gender-based approach in the making of public policies. Policies created by the state to guarantee empowerment and participation in building a more just, equal and peaceful society. The construction of this society, as established by our constitution and legal order, is what brings us together at this moment.
For me to tell you about the Ministry of Popular Power for Women, it is quite important that I tell you about some of their plans and what they are working towards. I'm not going to tell you everything, but I'm going to refer you to some of their work.
For example, there is the "Argelia Laya" National Plan which directs feminist training in gender equality and non-discrimination. As well there is “CAFIM”, the Comprehensive Training Center for Women. CAFIM is a public policy entity that gives primary care to women that are victims of violence. We also have the “Women and Gender Equality Committees,” and the “Community Defenders.”
As the Ministry of Popular Power for Women governs a broad array of programs, it also works with the "Eva Pernalete" School. "Eva Pernalete" is a school of agricultural training and production that works towards food sovereignty and gender equality.
We also have the "Homeland is a Woman" program for women diagnosed with breast cancer.
As you referred to in this question, another one of the programs is the “Mama Rosa” Plan, which was created for 2013-2019 within the Plan of the Homeland. Specifically, I can say that the “Mama Rosa” Plan is central in the expanding the inclusion and political participation of women. One of this program’s fundamental goals is to take patriarchy out of the highest levels of decision making and the candidacies of popular election. The “Mama Rosa” Plan works to include and empower women within the political front of struggle.
Of course, this is within the framework of the President Chávez’ legacy. When the "Mama Rosa" Plan was created in 2013, it was an emotional moment for us Venezuelans because President Chávez had died. However, precisely when the "Mama Rosa" Plan was established, a strategy was created to give continuity to the feminist character that Chávez always exhibited. In fact, if I remember correctly, in a women's assembly in October 2010, the President publicly declared himself a feminist.
The “Mama Rosa” Plan is very important because, so far, in the hands of President Nicolás Maduro, it has given continuity to the feminist character that must be present in the current revolutionary process.
FTT: The newly elected National Constituent Assembly is led by Delcy Rodriguez, has a high number of elected women representatives, can you tell us what percentage of the National Constituent Assembly are women and what role they are playing to advance the goals of the National Constituent Assembly?
Ms. Vizcaya: That a woman is the one who presides over the National Constituent Assembly is affirmation of the continuity of the legacy of President Chávez. Of course, this continuity comes from, or in this case, continues through, our president Nicolás Maduro. President Nicolás Maduro has always emphasized the feminist character that must remain within the Bolivarian revolution.
I recall that the first sessions of the National Constituent Assembly were dedicated to women and gender equality as we were just coming from the reality of the National Constituent Assembly election, during which many women were knocked down and intimidated by opposition violence.
30% of the deputies elected in the National Constituent Assembly are women; indigenous women, working women, young women, elder women; all are participating in the 21 commissions of the Assembly. One of the 21 commissions that make up the National Constituent Assembly is the commission of women and gender equity.
The revolutionary character of this process owes everything to President Chávez for what he said to said to us during his life, that the feminist character of the revolution must remain.
For me, the cutting edge is the political participation of women in Venezuela. We are at the forefront of the feminist political struggle.
FTT: Since the election of Comandante Chávez and the beginning of the Bolivarian revolutionary process in 1998, what would you say are the gains that have been made for women’s rights in Venezuela?
Ms. Vizcaya: The first thing that I would like to establish is that our current constitution marks a milestone, because it is the first Magna Carta that uses gender inclusive language. Following this, there is the creation of the Bank for the Development of Women in 2001 and the creation of an law on the right of women to live free of violence. This law identifies 19 types of violence against women and establishes mechanisms of defense, action and protection. In 2009, we also have the creation of the Ministry of Popular Power for Women and Gender Equality.
For me, these are great achievements of the revolutionary process. Before 1998, women never played such an important role, and their role was never as defended as it today. These achievements are thanks to the revolutionary process and also thanks to the feminist character of President Chávez, as well as President Maduro’s continued policies for women.
As President Chávez said, "Venezuela has a woman's name." In fact, from what I know, no other leader like President Chávez has dared to say publicly that they were a feminist. That is why the President made such an impact. Today, we can continue to work towards this goal thanks to President Nicolás Maduro.
FTT: Venezuela is facing attacks and sabotage from the U.S. government and their imperialist allies, who are attempting to block the progress of the Bolivarian revolutionary process. Within this, what do you think are the main challenges for women responding to these attacks and advancing the Bolivarian revolutionary process in Venezuela today?
Ms. Vizcaya: President Chávez declared to the world that he was a socialist and feminist and gave a leading role to women in public policy making in our country. I remember one of his messages for International Women's Day. The President said, "Women are vital in the construction of the socialist homeland. Keep on taking on the role of the vanguard, and save the homeland with your love, passion, intelligence and sharpness.”
Listen, we as women must continue to be on the front-line of struggle. We must continue to be on the frontline of political struggle, on the front-line of organizational struggle. We must continue fighting for ourselves to be included in all aspects, including the industrial economic aspects, so that we can defend our homeland, together with the revolution. We, as women, must continue and we must encourage the organization of society. Precisely because we are a society where women are the majority. We must continue organizing, we must continue fighting, and we must continue defending the revolutionary process in organization and in peace.
FTT: Is there anything else that you would like to tell our readers?
Ms. Vizcaya: Venezuela today is facing an unequal world. Everything that is happening in our country has a historical importance. That is why the struggle continues.
FTT: Thank you for the interview today.
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