Regional focus: Latin America – Colombia
Time: March – November 2025
Abstract:
In Colombia, Latin America, and elsewhere, barriers to political participation are manifold. This research project seeks to identify and analyze the intersectional barriers to political participation faced by Indigenous and Afro-descendent populations. Focusing on the dynamics of power that underpin marginalization due to gender, ethnicity, and socio-economic status, this study aims to understand how their compounding effects shape individual experiences and participation from the perspective of those affected by them. The findings will be used to inform participatory governance approaches to ensure and promote equality and social equity in local governing in Colombia, and how (often neglected) intersectional experiences and perspectives can shape gender policies toward more inclusive political landscapes.
Preliminary Research Questions:
- How do gender, ethnicity and socio-economic status intersect to shape the experiences andopportunities of participatory local governance of Indigenous populations and Afro-descendants in Colombia’s Pacific Region?
- What role do local governance structures play in perpetuating or mitigating barriers to participation
for marginalized communities? - What should local governments learn from Indigenous and Afro-descendent epistemologies (and
ontologies) to promote participation and inclusion in political engagement?
Researchers:
- Elisa Arond, Research Fellow, Stockholm Environment Institute – Latin America
- Janne Parviainen, Research Associate, Stockholm Environment Institute
- Diana Gómez Correal, Consultant
- Juan Betancur, Research Assistant, Stockholm Environment Institute
- Daniela Maestre, Research Assistant, Stockholm Environment Institute
- Mario Cardenas, Research Associate, Stockholm Environment Institute
This research project aims to support ICLD’s Network for Gender Equality.
The project was selected from the call for proposals Intersectional Gender Policy in Latin America.