Womens centers places for women a guide to womens centers in Latin America

A listing of womens centers in Latin America with brief descriptions is provided. Centers in Argentina Bolivia Brazil Colombia Costa Rica Cuba Chile Ecuador Honduras Mexico Nicaragua Paraguay Peru Puerto Rico the Dominican Republic Uruguay and Venezuela are included as well as 6 regional centers working with women of different nationalities. All are considered feminist centers based on their adherence to ideals of equality dignity and freedom for women an increase in power and freedom of determination for women and opposition to all forms of inequality and oppression. The 120 centers listed vary greatly but all share the important accomplishment of providing a place for women in patriarchical societies where few such places exist. Specific achievements include changed societal views on domestic violence and increased political awareness of women. Several problems which these centers have had to deal with are cited including the danger of bureaucratization as they assume leadership roles in the feminist movement conflicts over power between groups with different political ideologies and the concentration of authority in too few individuals. Many of the centers face financial difficulties and are dependent on outside sources for support. Constant contact with the needs and problems of women is necessary to maintain the goals of these institutions.