Finding Feminism through Faith: Casa Yela, Popular Feminism, and the Women-Church Movement in Chile

Abstract

Among the popular feminist projects of the dictatorship period in Chile was the Yela group in Talca, made up of pobladoras (women shantytown residents) and two Maryknoll sisters. Of particular interest is the manner in which this group’s popular feminism and antiviolence work during the 1980s was shaped by the women-church movement and feminist theology related to patriarchy, violence against women, and women’s collective resistance strategies. Over the long term, religious elements were gradually excluded from Casa Yela’s antiviolence work in favor of more secular feminist interpretations. Entre los proyectos feministas populares durante la época de la dictadura en Chile se encuentra la presencia del grupo Yela de Talca, formado por pobladoras (mujeres residentes de poblaciones) y dos hermanas Maryknoll. De particular interés es la forma en que el feminismo popular y antiviolencia de este grupo durante la década de 1980 se moldeó a partir del movimiento mujer-iglesia y la teología feminista relacionada con el patriarcado, la violencia contra las mujeres y las estrategias de resistencia colectiva de mujeres. A largo plazo, los elementos religiosos fueron gradualmente excluidos del trabajo antiviolencia de Casa Yela en favor de interpretaciones feministas más seculares.