Chile's Hombres Tejedores Use Knitting as Feminist Protest
In Chile, a group known as Hombres Tejedores (Weaving Men) is confronting machismo through the traditionally feminine craft of knitting. Comprising 12 men aged between 26 and 42, they gather in public areas and showcased their work at the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes in Santiago on November 26, 2016, coinciding with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Their mission is to challenge entrenched gender stereotypes in a society where a 2015 WHO report revealed that 10% of Chileans condone partner violence, with 29% admitting to being violent and 11% placing blame on victims. Women face a 30% wage gap, occupy only 16% of political roles, and merely 3% of corporate executive positions are held by women. Despite advancements under President Michelle Bachelet, cultural biases remain. The group views knitting as a means for social transformation.
Key facts
- Hombres Tejedores is a group of 12 men aged 26-42 who knit as a political statement against machismo.
- They performed at the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes in Santiago on November 26, 2016.
- The group challenges patriarchal gender roles by engaging in a traditionally feminine activity.
- 10% of Chileans believe it is sometimes justified to hit their partner (WHO report via La Stampa, 2015).
- 29% of Chileans have exercised physical violence against a partner.
- 11% think a raped woman often provoked the assault.
- Only 3% of corporate executives in Chile are women.
- Women earn 30% less than men and hold 16% of political positions.
- In 2016, Chile legalized abortion in cases of life endangerment, fetal malformation, or rape.
- Michelle Bachelet served as President of Chile from 2006-2010 and 2014-2018.
- Gabriela Mistral won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1945.
- The article references artists like Boetti, Vezzoli, Mike Kelley, Lenore Tawney, Maria Lai, Louise Bourgeois, Polly Apfelbaum, Ghada Amer, Rosemarie Trockel, Tracey Emin, Joana Vasconcelos, Mona Hatoum, and Anne Wilson.
Entities
Artists
- Richard Higuera
- Boetti
- Francesco Vezzoli
- Mike Kelley
- Lenore Tawney
- Maria Lai
- Louise Bourgeois
- Polly Apfelbaum
- Ghada Amer
- Rosemarie Trockel
- Tracey Emin
- Joana Vasconcelos
- Mona Hatoum
- Anne Wilson
- Isabel Allende
- Marcela Serrano
- Valeria Sarmiento
- Marilú Mallet
- Lotty Rosenfeld
- Cecilia Vicuña
- Violeta Parra
- Sandra Vásquez de la Horra
- Paz Errázuriz
- Francisca Linconao
- Gabriela Mistral
- Michelle Bachelet
- Helga Marsala
Institutions
- Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes
- Artribune
- La Stampa
- World Health Organization
- United Nations
- Amnesty International
- Pinochet regime
- Commission on Political Imprisonment and Torture
- Catholic Church
Locations
- Chile
- Santiago
- Australia
- Germany
- Latin America