Guatemala: thousands of women protest wave of "femicides"
"Thousands of women took to the streets today in Guatemala City's Historic Center to demand an end to the violence in the country against them. In Guatemala, more than 540 women have been murdered in the past year. 'Over our body, we decide,' cried hundreds of women during the march to the center of the capital, which caused heavy traffic congestion..."
Link to news article.
Tomorrow is International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women: Link.
And in related news, a human rights group named after a female journalist slain during Guatemala's internal armed conflict today received an award from the king of Spain. Again, my rough translation from Spanish:
"The Myrna Mack foundation is 'proud' to receive the Human Rights Prize of 2006 from Spain, said its senior representative Hellen Mack. 'We feel very satisfied, because the recognition of our work for human rights and democracy in Guatemala.' "
Link.
Labels: Guatemala
2 Comments:
The BBC did a decent piece on femicide in Guatemala this past May ( http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/this_world/4965786.stm). I also went to a human rights talk on the subject last year. Aside from it being unclear why so few cases are actually tried (above and beyond the inadequacies of the current legal system in Guate), few know why the murders of women are so incredibly violent and disturbing.
Xeni: I thank you for bringing this issue to light. I did a post on Guatemalan women and the Killer's Paradise a few days ago because I believe it is important that people know what is happening here.
I am following your footsteps and your entries about Guatemala. Have a safe trip!
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home