A Group of Indigenous Women in Peru Launches the First Radio Program on Reproductive Rights in the Quechua Language

The myth that “when the United States sneezes, the world catches a cold” seems to be dismantled. While women in the so-called “developed country” are losing their rights and access to abortion, an indigenous feminist organization in Peru is changing the way things are done.

It’s an initiative of indigenous women in the community of Sicuani, Canchis province of Cusco, Peru, driven by the feminist organization “Acción por Igualdad.” 

More than ten women from the group have promoted the broadcasting of the radio program “Kushka Acción Verde,” the first radio segment in Quechua in which topics related to sexual and reproductive rights will be discussed. This is part of the activities of the Acción Verde project, which seeks to raise awareness and visibility of sexual and reproductive rights, and is promoted by the feminist organization Acción por Igualdad.

All of the participating women are involved in handicraft production while at the same time promoting the struggle for women’s economic rights.

According to Acción por Igualdad, one of the most important aspects of the project is the participation of “women who know the problems of their community and who are listened to.” 

In this way, the radio program seeks to facilitate dialogue with villagers on issues such as motherhood, sex education and forced pregnancies.

According to the Wayka platform, these initiatives are fundamental due to the re-victimization suffered by indigenous women when seeking care at health centers. Many women, who lack knowledge of family planning, suffer mistreatment by health personnel.

“We want to make it known that we have rights; we deserve to be treated well. We are women, and we decide when and how many children to have, and with whom, and to do it in our language, which is Quechua,” Gloria Pilares, a member of the Sicuani community and Acción por Igualdad, told Wayka.