On the afternoon of Saturday the 20th, the ‘Tucumán Arde’ space witnessed the first meeting of the Feminist Committee of Women and Diversities. Teachers, health workers, high school, university and tertiary students, housewives, and feminist and LGTBI activists gathered to debate how to turn sympathy for the left into a solid organization.
Alejandra Arreguez, a PTS leader, opened the discussion: she raised the need to establish the committees that Myriam Bregman has been promoting across the country. The idea is clear: translate popular support into militant structure. Arreguez held nothing back and linked the local struggle with the rebellion of the Bolivian people, who today face the state of exception decreed by Rodrigo Paz. ‘Bolivia could be music of the future for us, considering the austerity plans that align Milei with Paz,’ she fired.
The specter of austerity loomed over the meeting. Arreguez targeted President Javier Milei and Governor Osvaldo Jaldo, whom she called a ‘dinosaur’ and part of a ‘misogynistic regime.’ She also attacked the Tucumán judiciary. ‘Milei attacks us because he knows we are not a passing movement and wants to delegitimize the agenda we have set and what we have achieved in the streets,’ she argued.
The interventions of the attendees reflected the urgency of moving from indignation to action. One worker confessed: ‘I got tired of feeling that nothing is being said and I want to do something, beyond my personal situation, I come because I want to look for strategies to start debating and questioning what is happening here, in Bolivia.’ Another comrade, coming from Kirchnerism, acknowledged the crisis of representation she is experiencing and her interest in the PTS Manifesto.
The debate was not limited to theory. The importance of social media as a tool for struggle was discussed, but without falling into the trap of trolls. ‘Many issues of violence against women have not been resolved; we must rely on organization,’ stated one of those present. The need to include men in the discussion on gender violence was also raised. ‘It is essential to strengthen our fight,’ said a health worker.
In the educational field, a Philosophy and Letters student recounted the urgency of creating a women’s commission at the faculty in light of recent reported abuse cases. ‘It is important to put a face to the ideas we hold,’ she argued. A high school student recalled the struggles of the Escuela Normal and ESEA against violence, the lack of comprehensive sex education (ESI), and the absence of a psycho-pedagogical team. ‘The strength is there; the issue is organizing it and maintaining it over time. If we only march on March 8 and June 3, we fall short,’ she warned.
Among the resolutions, it was agreed to launch a campaign in public places, workplaces, and schools against machista violence, pointing out state responsibility. A presentation of the PTS Manifesto and Pan y Rosas workshops will also be held. Additionally, a delegation will be promoted for the 39th Plurinational Meeting of Women and Diversities, to be held in Córdoba from October 10 to 12. In solidarity with Bolivia, they will participate in a joint action on Monday the 22nd and organize a talk at Tucumán Arde.
The meeting made it clear that Tucumán feminism is not going to sit idly by. With Milei and Jaldo in their sights, the Feminist Committee prepares to fight in the streets, workplaces, and classrooms.
che otra vez las minas estas armando quilombo en vez de laburar se juntan a llorar por el ajuste para mi milei y jaldo tienen razon hay que cortar con esta joda dejen de hinchar las bolas y ocupense de cosas importantes viva la libertad carajo
para mi este comite feminista en tucuman esta re bien bregman tiene razon milei y jaldo son la misma basura ajuste y violencia hay que organizarse ya no mas simpatia accion abajo el patriarcado y el capitalismo 💜✊🏼