ABSTRACT
Women’s organizations in Chiapas have increased dramatically in complexity and number since the 1970s. In this chapter I describe the growth and development of women’s organizations and examine the roles of the social actors that have influenced them. Although my analysis is academic, I also write as a participant in some of the organizations and movements that I analyze. I was an adviser to K’inal Antzetik, a nongovernmental organization (NGO) formed by indigenous women and mestizas who advise artisan cooperatives. I was in charge of the area of information and analysis of CONPAZ, a coalition of NGOs that carried out numerous projects in the conflict zone from 1994–1997. Finally, I served as research director for the Instituto de la Mujer (the Women’s Institute), created by the state government in 2000 to implement programs and public policies for women in Chiapas.
