Acción 7

This is a video documentation of two 'acciones' performed to reclaim sovereignty in the political decisions taken by native communities in Bolivia. In the first part, a young woman's speech ironically reinstates what is socially expected from women, at the same time that it suggests the possibility of building a non-profit organization lead by local women. In the second part, Mujeres Creando propose a strong criticism against international NGOs, questioning the paternalism of organizations lead by people who see indigenous communities as exotic. They also critique some NGOs' corruption with regards international donations, and point out the race and gender issues involved in cultural imperialism.

Mujeres Creando is a feminist anarchist movement created in 1990 in La Paz, Bolivia. It is comprised of women of different cultural, social, and ethnic origins, and explores creativity as an instrument of resistance and social participation. The three women who founded this communitarian proposal (Maria Galindo, Julieta Paredes, and Monica Mendoza) worked together to recover the public space that the patriarchal system appropriated. In this sense, the group does not only struggle for women's rights or issues that affect women, but also against other problems that affect society. The ways of expression of Mujeres Creando are graffiti, creativity, ongoing public debates, and acciones, along with a constant presence in the streets to reclaim a voice and participation in the public sphere. Since its beginnings, the group has been part of international gatherings, dialoguing with different feminist tendencies and thus being able to build its ideological identity within the autonomous feminism, in contrast and in connection with global struggles. In April 2001, due to ethical and political disagreements, there was a division in the group, which brought the necessity to differentiate names. In spite of this divergence, Maria Galindo continues working with Mujeres Creando in Bolivia.