Instrumentalization of Women by the State: The Complexities of Addressing Gender-Based Violence in Ecuador
537 Heller Hall
Abstract: This project examines the femicide of María Belén Bernal's 2022 in Ecuador and the subsequent state response characterized by a strategic instrumentalization of women. Despite widespread public outcry and a flawed investigation marked by systemic failures, the government employed symbolic measures to convey a commitment to addressing gender-based violence (GBV). This strategic use of women as visual props during official events, policy announcements, and leadership changes aimed to create an impression of progress without addressing the structural causes of GBV. I will argue that while the government's actions may be perceived as steps toward gender equality, they ultimately fall short because these symbolic measures, while raising awareness, lack the depth necessary to bring about substantive changes in policies, procedures, and training to combat GBV. Furthermore, I will emphasize the potential for these symbolic gestures to serve political agendas and divert attention from violence against other marginalized groups.
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About the Speaker
Jules is a doctoral candidate at the Humphrey School for Public Affairs and a research fellow at the Interdisciplinary Center for Global Change. Her research concentrates on the influence of gendered social movements on public policy in Ecuador. Her current work delves into the intricate relationship between narco-crime and gender-based violence (GBV) in Ecuador, specifically emphasizing the oversight of women's and queer peoples' experiences of violence. She advocates for a more inclusive understanding of GBV in societies grappling with high levels of violent crime. Jules earned her Bachelor's of Arts in International Affairs and her Master’s of Arts in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at the University of Cincinnati. Before joining the Humphrey School, she served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Paraguay and worked as an advocate for survivors of gender-based violence in the US and Ecuador for over ten years.