Sara Armella Rueda: “Men and women should share responsibilities equally, in politics just like in the family.”

^{Sara Armella Rueda in Panama City. Photo: UN Women/Jose Daniel Espinosa.} 

“My inspiration came from thinking about women, especially single mothers, who face unequal treatment by institutions,” says Armella. “At first, I engaged in politics from the side of social organizations, making demands and pushing the authorities to adopt laws, but they were not fulfilled. I realized that even if you are in the legislative sphere, you can make laws, but sometimes the executive will not implement or comply. That’s why I decided to run for mayor, to propose policies and create spaces for women leaders. My challenge is not only to remain in office but also to build networks so many more women can engage, participate, and be represented.”

Armella first reflects on entering politics from social movements rather than through traditional pathways: “I didn’t have an academic education, only experience and participation,” she explains. “That motivated me to move forward.” She also recognizes the importance of family support: “Even though my partner doesn’t like politics, his respect and support give me strength to keep going.”

Social norms remain clear barriers for women in politics: “Some politicians believe you need to be a certain age or have special political preferences to enter politics as a woman. So, we need to encourage young women to use their leadership skills to pursue political careers starting at the local level, as councilors, governors, or mayors. Our challenge is to have female governors in all nine departments.”

While acknowledging progress —Bolivia is one of the countries where parity is enshrined in its normative framework—, Armella stresses that there is still work to do: “Bolivia’s constitution calls for 50-50 representation, but we haven’t reached that goal. We need to strengthen support from institutions like UN Women and others so that many more women can join us. And men and women should share responsibilities equally, in politics just like in the family. That’s the society we want to build.”

“Networks are essential,” Armella says. When Rueda was elected President of the National Association of Women Mayors and Councilors of Bolivia (ACOBOL) in 2024, she focused on strengthening an institution with a historic legacy. ACOBOL is the organization that, following the assassination of councilwoman Juana Quispe, championed the world’s first law against violence against women in politics. Today, it continues its daily work to advance gender equality by promoting women’s leadership and participation.

Under Armella’s leadership, ACOBOL consolidated its institutional framework: “We secured legal status, established a headquarters in La Paz, and signed cooperation agreements with national and international partners”. She explains that ACOBOL’s work goes beyond technical support: “We help women understand their roles in legislative and executive branches, which reduces political confrontation and builds consensus. This is crucial because many women face harassment and political violence. Through ACOBOL, we create safe spaces, promote gender equality, and ensure that women’s voices are heard in decision-making.”

Armella sees ACOBOL as essential for future progress: “It’s not just about having a structure, it’s about empowering women leaders and making sure they have the tools and networks to thrive. That’s why ACOBOL matters.” 

Sara Armella Rueda joined the two-day intergenerational dialogue “Advancing Women’s Equal Participation in Decision-Making in Latin America and the Caribbean,” which took place on 27-28 November in Panama City. The Convening took place under the WYDE | Women’s Leadership initiative, funded by the European Union, which is a collaborative global effort aimed at advancing women’s full and effective political participation and decision-making at all levels, especially those most often left furthest behind.