On January 23rd, Venezuelans initiated a new attempt to put an end to authoritarian rule. Fresh-faced leader Juan Guaidó, who galvanized the opposition again, may be the man who leads the country towards democratization.
So far, most strategy formation is happening behind doors, given the high levels of repression in Venezuela. From the few images we have seen, however, one thing is striking: there are virtually no women present in designing and executing these strategies.
All key strategists, both national and foreign, appear to be men: Julio Borges, Leopoldo López, Antonio Ledezma, Carlos Vecchio, David Smolanksy, Lester Toledo, and Luis Almagro, to name a few. The only notable exceptions to this pattern are Maria Corina Machado and Delsa Solorzano, who over the past years have shaped national politics. Despite this, their roles still seem secondary when compared to those of men. Female under-representation makes Venezuela’s incipient spring vulnerable. Here’s why.
