Synopsis:

Many Indigenous and rural communities in the state of Oaxaca are run via “usos y costumbres” (customs and traditions), but what does that mean? And how does it affect women? This presentation will address these questions and analyze women’s changing roles within local governance systems due to emigration, governmental initiatives to promote women’s participation, and feminist politics.

Bio:

Dr. Holly Worthen is a professor at the Instituto de Investigaciones Sociológicas at Oaxaca’s main public university, the Universidad Autónoma Benito Juárez de Oaxaca.  She conducts research on development, gender, migration and political participation within Indigenous communities. She teaches classes on social theory and research methods within anthropology and sociology programs at the university. When not at work, she can often be found spaying, neutering, and rescuing street dogs.