Victims of Time, Warriors for Change: Chilean Women in a Neoliberal Society

Abstract

In this dissertation I explore the attitudes of 52 Chileans toward globalization and neoliberalism and their impact on their nation and the lives of Chilean women. By examining national policies, quantitative measures of development, and how various women in the labor force and political and community organizations perceive and live within the Chilean economy, I show the dynamic relationship between national and international policies and gender inequality and women's empowerment. I discuss how women have gained or lost in neoliberal Chile through wage labor and how that has impacted their relationships within the home and within their communities. I also focus on changing cultural constructions within Chilean society and on major social inequalities that negatively impacted women's power both inside and outside the home. Although working full time, most of my respondents also were committed to full-time activism to promote equality and provide a backlash against neoliberal economic policies. Their NGOs and grassroots groups were highly divided by the class of their members, although all seemed committed to anti-neoliberal agendas. While the various activities gave members a strong sense of self esteem and community, most groups were underfunded, and participants were limited in their ability to connect with the Chilean government to promote social change.