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Salient. Official Newspaper of the Victoria University Students' Association. Vol 44 No. 1. March 2 1981

Women and the New People's Army

Women and the New People's Army

It is equally important for all sectors to be involved in this struggle - men, women, youth and students. The NPA first approaches the men - this is for a number of reasons. Firstly on a practical level it is easier for the Red Fighters to join in the work of the farmers in the fields and talk to them during the day. Because of feudal attitudes, women tend to be very shy of talking about politics and their experiences with strangers.

Secondly, because women participate very little in production, it takes them longer to grasp the aims of the revolution. The farmers easily see the urgent need for land reform and are more accustomed to taking the initiative in decisions. They subsequently play an important part in educating their wives.

A campaign for women to join the production is part of the NPA's propaganda, and a concerted attempt is made to erase sexist attitudes. The success we saw in achieving a share in domestic tasks shows the effectiveness of educating both men and women.

As women are gradually freed from domestic tasks and have the opportunity to extend their knowledge and play a part in production, they become more valued fighters against the landlord class. Some join the NPA but more often women are put in charge of political education in the barrios. This is because they are less likely to be suspected than men - most barrios, even in regions consolidated by the NPA contain a government spy.

Secondly, the barrio women relate more easily to women comrades than to the men, of whom they tend to be shy.