Peruvian women revive Indigenous weaving after trauma of forced sterilizations

In a workshop led by artist and anthropologist Alejandra Ballón Gutiérrez, survivors of forced sterilizations in Peru are reclaiming their cultural heritage through Indigenous weaving. Many of these women, who had not woven in decades due to trauma from botched sterilization procedures, are using traditional backstrap looms to reconnect with their craft. The initiative aims to revive techniques that were lost and to foster cultural transmission to younger generations. The forced sterilizations, part of a policy under former president Alberto Fujimori, left many women physically and emotionally scarred. The operations, often performed without proper medical care, resulted in complications and a loss of identity for many survivors. In Huancabamba, a significant percentage of sterilized women reported a cultural disconnection, with over half ceasing to weave altogether. Ballón Gutiérrez emphasizes the importance of weaving as a means of cultural identity and community connection. The project not only helps women learn the craft again but also serves as a visual testimony of their experiences. Master weaver Jovana Lopes Paco highlights the generational aspect of this tradition, noting that the skills passed down from mothers to daughters are crucial for maintaining cultural ties. The workshop is part of a broader effort to address the injustices faced by these women and to promote healing through art. An exhibition of the fabrics created during the workshop is planned for next year at a museum in Lima dedicated to the historical conflict in Peru, further emphasizing the significance of these women's stories and their cultural heritage.