Participación política femenina en Loja: una mirada desde las voces de sus protagonistas

Abstract

Abstract: This research analyzes women's participation and retention in the political sphere in Loja, Ecuador, using a qualitative methodology, highlighting the structural, cultural, and personal challenges they face. Through semi-structured interviews, the trajectories of seven local women politicians are analyzed. Despite not sharing the same ideological stance on feminism, they all agree that they have faced adverse contexts that require strength and resilience. The testimonies collected highlight factors such as symbolic and direct violence, social stigma, and the disproportionate burden of domestic responsibilities as obstacles to their political practice. Thus, while legal reforms have allowed for some progress, they are not sufficient without structural changes that recognize and value women's participation. Based on the interviewees' stories, this research proposes strengthening public policies and institutional culture from a gender perspective. However, if social constructs are not broken, there will be no progress toward equal opportunities.