Female Leadership in the Sarayaku Community and Its Construction in the Amazonian Context

Abstract

The case studied occurred in the Amazonian community of Sarayaku, in Ecuador, and addressed indigenous female leadership in a context traditionally dominated by patriarchal structures. The study focused on how Sarayaku women have managed to build and consolidate their leadership in the public and private spheres, overcoming cultural, social, and political barriers. It sought to document the forms of women's participation in the community, analyzing gender roles and changes in the internal social structure. An ethnographic approach was applied, with fieldwork and interviews with Sarayaku women leaders, allowing a deep understanding of local social and political dynamics. The main findings showed that female leadership emerged from a constant struggle for visibility and equity, with women being key in the defense of territory and culture. Despite difficulties, women found alternative spaces such as activism and community leadership. This experience highlights how indigenous women, historically marginalized, have become central actors in the defense of their rights and territory. It contributes to the study of indigenous movements and gender leadership, providing a model of empowerment and resistance.