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#EducaciónNoSexista: Machismo and Feminismo in Chile

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A Machismo culture - one of aggressive masculinity which has the potential to breed toxic expectations of men and equally harmful attitudes towards and treatment of women - is deeply-entrenched in many Latin American societies. However, the recent wave of unprecedented student mobilisation and civil disobedience rooted in feminist ideals in Chile highlights the increasing momentum in the fight against the patriarchal culture that persists in the country, both within the confines of the classroom and on the streets.

Chile has a long history of student-based political activity, much of it concerned with ending the profiting and perceived social inequality of higher-education in recent years. However, when one of Chile’s most highly-regarded legal scholars, Carlos Carmona, was suspended by the University of Chile for just three months for “lack of integrity” following sexual harassment allegations from students in May 2018, the swift and extreme reaction that was sparked adopted a profoundly feminist slant for the first time. It was one of several such allegations within the educational sphere, emphasising the lack of protection offered to women by their institutes and the conservative, predominantly male government, which does not legally require any policies relating to this to ensure the protection of students. Simmering frustrations at the secretive and taboo nature in which abortion and contraception are clouded, archaic attitudes towards sexual orientation, and the gender violence and abuse that threatens much of the population erupted and student strikes - or ‘tomas’ - broke out in dozens of higher education faculties in the country.

Student federations at universities democratically decided on their participation, and those that chose to do so became safe spaces for debates on social progression and change. A fight for more balanced, non-sexist curricula rooted in gender and sexual sensitivity was also fostered from this, and some campuses held gyneacology lessons, self-defence classes and other workshops promoting gender empowerment. Following six weeks of occupation, the Universidad de Talca - at which I work - has introduced policies to tackle and prevent sexual harassment (both between staff and students); has adopted a more inclusive and tolerant approach to the inclusion of transgender students; has adapted the curriculum to be more gender inclusive, including more female authors on reading lists and the erosion of gender-based stereotypes when teaching the vocabulary for job roles in the language department; and has redirected resources to ensure that students with children can continue their studies.

Although the feminist movement has clearly established itself as a forceful presence in Chilean society following these student strikes, with 27 femicides recorded in the country in the first six months of 2018, and draconian abortion laws in Chile being reformed only last year - legally permitting it in cases of rape, if the pregnancy poses a threat to the mother’s life, or if the foetus is at risk of being born with a severe deformity - there is still great progress to be made in the ongoing conflict with machismo social sovereignty. The need to ensure that change is extended from the classroom to tackle broader issues across the social spectrum, such as health and housing - thus ensuring the inclusion of the lower-classes - is vital. Nevertheless, the visibility this movement provided to gender violence and abuses whilst simultaneously creating safe spaces of reflection cannot be undermined.