Abstract

GOMEZ-FUENTES, Anahí C.. An army of women. An army for water. The mazahua indigenous women of México. agric. soc. desarro [online]. 2009, vol.6, n.3, pp.207-221. ISSN 1870-5472.

On September, 2003, Mazahua peasants from Villa de Allende, State of México, suffered flooding on 300 hectares of crops because of overflowing of the Malacatepec River, originating from the Villa Victoria dam of the Cutzamala system. This was the reason why the peasants organized themselves to demand payment of their crops. After three months of waiting, in February 2004, the Mazahua began a series of collective actions and came together as the Frente para la Defensa de los Derechos Humanos y Recursos Naturales del Pueblo Mazahua. After one year of mobilization, the Ejército Zapatista de Mujeres en Defensa del Agua arose, which turned out to have an important media impact that was able to exercise political pressure on the instances involved, in benefit of the movement. The objective of this document is to present the most significant findings regarding the participation of Mazahua people in the movement. Also, to expose the causes that generated this important political movement, which transcended beyond payment of crop damages, consolidating other demands such as: provision of drinking water and basic services, as well as a plan for sustainable development for the communities.

Keywords : Conflicts over water; indigenous people; social marginalization; social mobilization; women.