Factores que han permitido a las mujeres rurales del Azuay permanecer en cargos de elección popular por más de un período (elecciones 2019 y elecciones 2023)

Abstract

Rural women face greater difficulty in holding elected positions due to various factors, such as the political violence they are exposed to, lack of support for their management, and the need to prove their capacity for such activities. For many years, engaging in political activities was considered a right reserved for men, as societal and patriarchal structures assigned reproductive tasks and the private sphere to women. Women’s demands led to their gradual integration into political activities, bringing about changes in regulations. This research briefly explores key milestones seeking equality in participation between men and women. The primary interest was understanding the factors enabling certain rural women to remain in elected positions for more than one term, identifying their strategies, assessing support networks, common characteristics, etc. Conclusions were drawn to be shared with other women entering politics, aiming to empower them and encourage their continued involvement for community service goals. The research employed qualitative methods, focusing on a case study and conducting in-depth interviews with seven women re-elected for a second term.