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South America’s Republic of Bolivia has a significant African presence. Africans were kidnapped and enslaved there beginning in the 17th century; 30,000 alone were brought to the high-altitude city of Potosí to work in the wealth-producing silver mines.
The 2012 national census in Bolivia marked the first time the Afro Bolivian population was officially recognized as a specific ethnic group. According to that census, there were 23,330 people of African descent living in Bolivia, making them the sixth-largest demographic group in the nation’s total population of 10,027,254.
We had the opportunity to interview Parliamentary Representative Mónica Rey Gutiérrez and talk with her about the community of Afro Bolivian women in the nation.
AmNews: When did you start engaging in Afrocentric activism?
Mónica Rey: I became an advocate for the rights of the Afro Bolivian people when I was a member of an organization formed at the end of the 1980s. That group led to the creation of the Concejo Nacional Afroboliviano (Afro-Bolivian National Council /Conafro) in 2011. I have served as a parliamentarian and am a current member of the Afro Bolivian women’s organization Cimarronas and the international organization ARAAC (Articulacion Regional Afrodescendientes de America Latina y el Caribe/Regional Afrodescendant Coordination for Latin America and the Caribbean).
Our efforts to secure historical, social, economic, and political vindication have led to notable progress within the government. The nation’s new constitution incorporates Afrodescendants, anti-racism legislation has been enacted, and the first Afro Bolivian decade has been declared, among other developments. The current political crisis has significantly impacted our progress, making us one of the hardest hit. This situation calls for us to strengthen our efforts by refining our demands.
Bolivian Parliamentary Representative Mónica Rey Gutiérrez is also a member of the Afro Bolivian women’s organization, Cimarronas. Credit: Contributed photo
AmNews: When did the Cimarronas organization start?
Mónica Rey: The Association of Afro-Bolivian Women, Cimarronas, began its advocacy agenda in 2020 and has become a driving force in the fight against discrimination and gender inequality in Bolivia. Its name, “Cimarronas,” pays homage to the historical resistance of Afrodescendants who defied oppression in search of freedom.
Cimarronas recognizes that the road to equality requires deconstructing power structures rooted in racism and patriarchy, an inherited legacy of colonialism. Its work focuses on dismantling these systems of oppression and building a society where Afro Bolivian women can live free from discrimination and violence.
The association has had a significant impact on Afro Bolivian communities through various initiatives:
· Shelters: Provide shelter and support to female victims of violence, offering a safe space for healing and empowerment.
· Educational programs: Through workshops and training, we promote the education, leadership, and civic participation of women, girls, and adolescents.
· Political advocacy: We actively participate in the creation of public policies that address the specific needs of Afro Bolivian women.
· Economic empowerment: We promote the development of skills and income generation for women, contributing to their economic independence.
· Cultural preservation: We promote and preserve our rich Afro Bolivian cultural heritage, strengthening identity and pride in their roots.
Cimarronas looks to the future with determination. We are committed to continuing the work of building a more just and egalitarian Bolivia.