So there has been some action taken since we have gotten back from Guatemala. We are going to have a few of our members go on a local radio program DefendersLIVE on WRIR.
I am also visiting a VCU School of Social Work BSW policy class to speak about the radio project and start a letter writing campaign to garner support for the community radio stations in Guatemala.
Gladys Monterroso will be visiting VCU in October keep checking for updated information.
We are also available to present/and or speak at any of your functions just send me or any of the other RIC members a message!
p.s. I also have managed to get a full-time job in the midst of all my volunteer work! It is a great program and I am super excited, I am working with Planned Parenthood of Virginia and evaluating a prenatal program! Wish me luck!
More later!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Gladys Monterroso's Story
Sunday August 2, 2009 6pm
Guatemala City, Guatemala
Gladys came to meet us today and to share her unbelievable story with us. Gladys is a lawyer, professor and wife to Sergio Morales, Guatemala's Human Rights Ombudsman.
On the morning of March 25, 2009 she was scheduled to meet colleagues for a work-group breakfast which is common among her colleagues. She had received a call inquiring about her textbooks which are sold on consignment. She told the caller she was busy but would be able to step out of the breakfast to meet and discuss the textbooks.
She retold the story in such vivid details with tears in her eyes and at times unable to continue it was as though it happened yesterday, the pain is still raw.
She recalls walking out of the restaurant to meet the girl who called about the textbooks, after that meeting she was walking back to the restaurant and remembers seeing men in hoods. She did not think anything of it as it was Holy Week and college students usually don hoods and ask for money during this time as it is a ritual.
She was then thrown into the floor well of an SUV, and she asked why they were doing this? They put a gun to her head and were screaming obscenities. She says she remembers driving around for a while and then they fed her pills. They made her drink liquor. She felt woozy, she was burned with cigarettes and brutally raped and beaten. She was raped, beaten,and burned. This ordeal lasted about 12 hours. She was then taken somewhere and thrown out of the truck.
She heard a man's voice and was terrified that she would be raped again. She realized that she had no clothing on and that the man was trying to help her. She asked to use a phone, the man wanted to call the police, she just wanted to call home. She said she spoke with her daughters but they were so upset that they got the address wrong of where she was. She waited a long time and then called again. Finally someone came to get her.
This is where the debacle that is the investigative system in Guatemala begins. To this day there has been no successful progress in her case. What has occurred is shameful. There has been no investigation into the only real lead in her case. The license plate of the SUV that the men used to take her belongs to the mother of one person who is known to be part of a group of kidnappers. Why has this person not been apprehended? The Office of Crimes Against Women still has no information about her case....but it happened in March? How long does it take to drive the information across town?
Gladys has been interrogated by the police, her phones and her families phones have been tapped. Her case has been transferred. The ONLY witness who was smart enough to look at the car that dumped her on the side of the road is now being protected. As is Gladys, she travels everywhere with 2 men who are there to protect her. Her freedom is gone.
Meanwhile she has had to travel to the US to get HIV, STD testing because the Guatemalan system is unreliable. She is "privileged" and she realizes that and that is part of the reason why she is speaking out. Every person should see justice when they are violated. Proper procedures should be followed. That is an unheard of concept in Guatemala as there is no proper training and women are highly disregarded.
In June of this year the CICIG (see my initial post) released all of the details on Gladys' case including information about her medical testing and her genitalia. How is that a part of the process? How can that help her case? She is mortified, but determined that her kidnappers will be brought to justice. We can support her by contacting the International Commission on Human Rights and demanding justice.
Guatemala City, Guatemala
Gladys came to meet us today and to share her unbelievable story with us. Gladys is a lawyer, professor and wife to Sergio Morales, Guatemala's Human Rights Ombudsman.
On the morning of March 25, 2009 she was scheduled to meet colleagues for a work-group breakfast which is common among her colleagues. She had received a call inquiring about her textbooks which are sold on consignment. She told the caller she was busy but would be able to step out of the breakfast to meet and discuss the textbooks.
She retold the story in such vivid details with tears in her eyes and at times unable to continue it was as though it happened yesterday, the pain is still raw.
She recalls walking out of the restaurant to meet the girl who called about the textbooks, after that meeting she was walking back to the restaurant and remembers seeing men in hoods. She did not think anything of it as it was Holy Week and college students usually don hoods and ask for money during this time as it is a ritual.
She was then thrown into the floor well of an SUV, and she asked why they were doing this? They put a gun to her head and were screaming obscenities. She says she remembers driving around for a while and then they fed her pills. They made her drink liquor. She felt woozy, she was burned with cigarettes and brutally raped and beaten. She was raped, beaten,and burned. This ordeal lasted about 12 hours. She was then taken somewhere and thrown out of the truck.
She heard a man's voice and was terrified that she would be raped again. She realized that she had no clothing on and that the man was trying to help her. She asked to use a phone, the man wanted to call the police, she just wanted to call home. She said she spoke with her daughters but they were so upset that they got the address wrong of where she was. She waited a long time and then called again. Finally someone came to get her.
This is where the debacle that is the investigative system in Guatemala begins. To this day there has been no successful progress in her case. What has occurred is shameful. There has been no investigation into the only real lead in her case. The license plate of the SUV that the men used to take her belongs to the mother of one person who is known to be part of a group of kidnappers. Why has this person not been apprehended? The Office of Crimes Against Women still has no information about her case....but it happened in March? How long does it take to drive the information across town?
Gladys has been interrogated by the police, her phones and her families phones have been tapped. Her case has been transferred. The ONLY witness who was smart enough to look at the car that dumped her on the side of the road is now being protected. As is Gladys, she travels everywhere with 2 men who are there to protect her. Her freedom is gone.
Meanwhile she has had to travel to the US to get HIV, STD testing because the Guatemalan system is unreliable. She is "privileged" and she realizes that and that is part of the reason why she is speaking out. Every person should see justice when they are violated. Proper procedures should be followed. That is an unheard of concept in Guatemala as there is no proper training and women are highly disregarded.
In June of this year the CICIG (see my initial post) released all of the details on Gladys' case including information about her medical testing and her genitalia. How is that a part of the process? How can that help her case? She is mortified, but determined that her kidnappers will be brought to justice. We can support her by contacting the International Commission on Human Rights and demanding justice.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Calling Hillary Clinton's Office
So, no one was available to speak with me.
I left a "comment". I just asked if someone could please explain to me how it was that $20 for counternarcotic activities was being approved...and only $500,000 had been previously approved for the past 3 years for violence agains women when Guatemala has a 99.9% domestic/sexual/violence against women rate....
Does anyone think they will call me back?
Public Communication Division:
PA/PL, Rm. 2206
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20520
202-647-6575
To e-mail the U.S. Department of State, please visit the following website:
http://contact-us.state.gov/cgi-bin/state.
I left a "comment". I just asked if someone could please explain to me how it was that $20 for counternarcotic activities was being approved...and only $500,000 had been previously approved for the past 3 years for violence agains women when Guatemala has a 99.9% domestic/sexual/violence against women rate....
Does anyone think they will call me back?
Public Communication Division:
PA/PL, Rm. 2206
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20520
202-647-6575
To e-mail the U.S. Department of State, please visit the following website:
http://contact-us.state.gov/cgi-bin/state.
U. S. and our priorities
While in Guatemala we were shocked when Amanda told us how much money is given to Guatemala for private helicopters....I think it was something like 18 MILLION DOLLARS...well then we got to go speak with the US Embassy...and they told us that the amount of USAID money that had been earmarked for the violence against women was ONLY $500,000 and that it was actually going to be a "little less this year". Um excuse me? Last year alone there were over 700 women murdered and by all accounts that we have heard and all the reports we have read that number is expected to go UP this year.
Oh so the point is today we got an announcement that the US plans to give 20 Million to the DR and Guatemala for helicopters.
Why? and Why? WHY DO THEY NEED MONEY FOR HELICOPTERS?
I just cannot understand the logic. I think I am going to call the White House and ask.....be right back.....
Oh so the point is today we got an announcement that the US plans to give 20 Million to the DR and Guatemala for helicopters.
Why? and Why? WHY DO THEY NEED MONEY FOR HELICOPTERS?
I just cannot understand the logic. I think I am going to call the White House and ask.....be right back.....
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
Taking Actions
As you know Janett is doing a great job posting our experiences in Guatemala. I have sort of been processing it all. My father-in-law asked me today about the trip and I really had no words for him It was an indescribable experience. It was heart-wrenching and inspiring all at once. I know that we need to step back and think about what we can do at home to help.
So, I have been in contact with Amanda and am thinking about what we can do here at home. Given my trip to the grocery store yesterday and looking at the banana's I felt a flood of anger. This anger can be productive and I am going to find a way to be effective. Ironic that one of my last papers in grad school was about Cesar Chavez and the UFW.
I am going to get in contact with the banana workers in Guatemala and see what actions and help they would like from us and will need your help. We are not going to boycott because that is not what they need. Please stay tuned as I will most likely send out some sort of action alert.
I want to continue to write about Guatemala and tomorrow will pick up where I left off with Gladys Monterroso and her story of kidnap, rape and what has occurred since then.
So, I have been in contact with Amanda and am thinking about what we can do here at home. Given my trip to the grocery store yesterday and looking at the banana's I felt a flood of anger. This anger can be productive and I am going to find a way to be effective. Ironic that one of my last papers in grad school was about Cesar Chavez and the UFW.
I am going to get in contact with the banana workers in Guatemala and see what actions and help they would like from us and will need your help. We are not going to boycott because that is not what they need. Please stay tuned as I will most likely send out some sort of action alert.
I want to continue to write about Guatemala and tomorrow will pick up where I left off with Gladys Monterroso and her story of kidnap, rape and what has occurred since then.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Please Read VCU-VAW blog
Janett is doing an amazing job updating the blog! I have added a link to it on the left side of my page- the VCU-VAW blog.
I did not do much today besides drink coffee, try to read the NYT - there was actually an article about Mayan Pyramids and the Super Collider in Geneva.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/09/weekinreview/09glanz.html
Anyhow, we went to Whole Foods- told Matt to be very careful while picking his banana's.
I did however come up with an idea that hopefully will raise some awareness about how Bandegua is treating their female workers in other countries. More on that later.....and yes, I will need your help!
We came home,I laid on the couch and passed out. I am still really tired.
Matt made a great dinner for me including the sacred corn of course and now I am about to sign off before I nod off!
peace and love and to my friends in Guatemala-you know who you are be safe, I am missing you, and will see you all soon! Janett- please take a break! Love you!
I did not do much today besides drink coffee, try to read the NYT - there was actually an article about Mayan Pyramids and the Super Collider in Geneva.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/09/weekinreview/09glanz.html
Anyhow, we went to Whole Foods- told Matt to be very careful while picking his banana's.
I did however come up with an idea that hopefully will raise some awareness about how Bandegua is treating their female workers in other countries. More on that later.....and yes, I will need your help!
We came home,I laid on the couch and passed out. I am still really tired.
Matt made a great dinner for me including the sacred corn of course and now I am about to sign off before I nod off!
peace and love and to my friends in Guatemala-you know who you are be safe, I am missing you, and will see you all soon! Janett- please take a break! Love you!
Saturday, August 8, 2009
I am home!
Apparently while in Antigua the other night I did not save my post! Which is probably okay as I had drank a little Vino with my friends! I am safely home and a little sad because I tried really hard to get to stay until Wednesday with Debbie, Beth and Janett. However none of the other standby's showed up to the airport so I had to get on the plane. Matt picked me and a stranger I had met on the plane up in DC- and I was very excited to see him!
(side note- he Juan Pablo-was en route home to DC and American Airlines lost his luggage and he missed his flight to DC from MIA originating in Costa Rica- he had a long day and ended up sitting next me on the plane--he is a biologist and works for an environmental non-profit in DC so we had a really interesting convo on the plane...thus ending up in me offering him a ride to Fredricksburg since his wife had originally shown up at the airport and he was not on the plane!)
I realize that I have a lot of catching up to do on this blog. This trip was amazing and life changing. I also realize that I need to decompress and think about everything I learned, experienced, and felt. I am emotionally drained but also feel like I have found my purpose in life. I know that may sound cliche. I assure you it is not. Emily Willard and I are very excited about a woman's center in Chimaltenango. We both felt an immediate connection to their mission and are going to collaborate on supporting (apoyando) them in any way we can.
My spanish is back almost 100% and I also learned a few Mayan words! I will post pictures and more information about the delegation soon! I am going to take a few days off and will post more soon!
(side note- he Juan Pablo-was en route home to DC and American Airlines lost his luggage and he missed his flight to DC from MIA originating in Costa Rica- he had a long day and ended up sitting next me on the plane--he is a biologist and works for an environmental non-profit in DC so we had a really interesting convo on the plane...thus ending up in me offering him a ride to Fredricksburg since his wife had originally shown up at the airport and he was not on the plane!)
I realize that I have a lot of catching up to do on this blog. This trip was amazing and life changing. I also realize that I need to decompress and think about everything I learned, experienced, and felt. I am emotionally drained but also feel like I have found my purpose in life. I know that may sound cliche. I assure you it is not. Emily Willard and I are very excited about a woman's center in Chimaltenango. We both felt an immediate connection to their mission and are going to collaborate on supporting (apoyando) them in any way we can.
My spanish is back almost 100% and I also learned a few Mayan words! I will post pictures and more information about the delegation soon! I am going to take a few days off and will post more soon!
Friday, August 7, 2009
Hi All!
Hi- we just wanted to give you a quick update! We are currently in Antigua (Old City). We definitely needed to be here today. We had along journey and were in the van for at least 30 hours! Or at least it felt like it! Seriously though we were in the car for at least 4 hours today. We visited a Mayan Community Radio Station (think NPR in the middle of the Guatemalan Mountains). Don Felipe started the radio station eleven years ago. They transmit from the pueblo of Xajaxac. It is a tiny community of Mayans. They rely on the community radio station for all of their information yet the Ministerio Publico (the public defenders office) wants to outlaw them! That seems a little ridiculous considering that out of all the crime in Guatemala only 2% of criminals are convicted YET the Public defenders office wants to spend time and money (60 Million which are U.S. funds----- yeah- your tax dollars) on restricting Community radio stations whose programming includes talking about health issues in the communities, Mayan history, and music. Think about that! Goodnight it is way past my bedtime and we have a meeting with the US Embassy tomorrow! I will continue the rest of my week's story soon!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Heavy stuff...........
So it is only Monday(technically Tuesday as it is 12:15am). It feels like we have been here for such a long time. We had a very busy and emotionally trying day yesterday. We started out with an orientation.
We talked about our Hopes and Expectations for the trip and we wrote them on big posters and there were some good ones most of them were really positive like being able to take our experiences home and make some positive changes for the people of Guatemala. Some of the others included Empowerment, taking action steps and more of the same theme. We also wrote about our Fears...these included the fear of the unknown, kidnapping and torture, transportation-which meant more kidnapping or a situation with guns, Danger, Reprisals, Fear for the people that we are trying to help. Talking about these fears was super stressful because it made the fact that we are on a Human Rights Delegation REAL. Human Rights workers are in extreme danger in this country. On a lighter note we also feared diarrhea. We also talked about the Realities of this trip. The realities that we are here and also that we now have a responsibility to share our knowledge and take action when we return to the comfort of the Unites States.
We then talked about our safety protocol which I don't really feel like describing because I don't want to.
Sunday was really the first day that we had a fully structured schedule with meetings to attend. Because it was Sunday most of the people that we met with came to us because well it was Sunday and it was safer for them to come to us as we are in a secure space.
The first people we met with yesterday was group of women from STITCH. They are labor organizers and were amazing. Our coordinator Amanda said that it was amazing that we got to meet these four women two of which are Ladino and two are Mayan. The short story is that the women that are organizing for the workers rights are focusing on rights for the female workers that work on the banana plantations (the company is called Bandegua in Guatemala however it is an offshoot of what used to be Chiquita and is now Del Monte). The men have rights that the women are not entitled to such as a place to live on the plantation. Most of the women travel 3-4 hours just to get to work. Then they are required to pack at least 45 boxes of bananas an HOUR....have you seen how big those banana boxes are? Oh and if the women want to stay on the plantation in the same houses that are provided for men...well they have to be sexually involved with the men. So basically they need to have sex with the male workers in order to be able to stay there.
So besides working on female laborer rights there are so many other issues that these organizers are fighting against including getting 40,000 workers unionized which is being disputed by multi-national companies including Chiquita, Dole and Del Monte (which I will now be boycotting). How come in the United States these companies are allowed to unionize but not in Guatemala? Do these people not deserve the same working conditions? The same maternity leave? Wages that will allow them to put food on their tables?
Think about that...........................
Next we took a very short coffee break and got the chance to speak with the group that had presented. I had a very interesting conversation with one of the Mayan women that I will not talk about now but will update you with when I get back to the States.
Like I said we had a very full day. I am so tired now that I will continue to tell you all about this week...however we also have a full day tomorrow and are leaving for the highlands in the morning and so I should try to get back to sleep!
If I am not blogging in the next few days please don't worry as I am not sure that we will have internet access. We will be back in Guatemala City on Friday.
We talked about our Hopes and Expectations for the trip and we wrote them on big posters and there were some good ones most of them were really positive like being able to take our experiences home and make some positive changes for the people of Guatemala. Some of the others included Empowerment, taking action steps and more of the same theme. We also wrote about our Fears...these included the fear of the unknown, kidnapping and torture, transportation-which meant more kidnapping or a situation with guns, Danger, Reprisals, Fear for the people that we are trying to help. Talking about these fears was super stressful because it made the fact that we are on a Human Rights Delegation REAL. Human Rights workers are in extreme danger in this country. On a lighter note we also feared diarrhea. We also talked about the Realities of this trip. The realities that we are here and also that we now have a responsibility to share our knowledge and take action when we return to the comfort of the Unites States.
We then talked about our safety protocol which I don't really feel like describing because I don't want to.
Sunday was really the first day that we had a fully structured schedule with meetings to attend. Because it was Sunday most of the people that we met with came to us because well it was Sunday and it was safer for them to come to us as we are in a secure space.
The first people we met with yesterday was group of women from STITCH. They are labor organizers and were amazing. Our coordinator Amanda said that it was amazing that we got to meet these four women two of which are Ladino and two are Mayan. The short story is that the women that are organizing for the workers rights are focusing on rights for the female workers that work on the banana plantations (the company is called Bandegua in Guatemala however it is an offshoot of what used to be Chiquita and is now Del Monte). The men have rights that the women are not entitled to such as a place to live on the plantation. Most of the women travel 3-4 hours just to get to work. Then they are required to pack at least 45 boxes of bananas an HOUR....have you seen how big those banana boxes are? Oh and if the women want to stay on the plantation in the same houses that are provided for men...well they have to be sexually involved with the men. So basically they need to have sex with the male workers in order to be able to stay there.
So besides working on female laborer rights there are so many other issues that these organizers are fighting against including getting 40,000 workers unionized which is being disputed by multi-national companies including Chiquita, Dole and Del Monte (which I will now be boycotting). How come in the United States these companies are allowed to unionize but not in Guatemala? Do these people not deserve the same working conditions? The same maternity leave? Wages that will allow them to put food on their tables?
Think about that...........................
Next we took a very short coffee break and got the chance to speak with the group that had presented. I had a very interesting conversation with one of the Mayan women that I will not talk about now but will update you with when I get back to the States.
Like I said we had a very full day. I am so tired now that I will continue to tell you all about this week...however we also have a full day tomorrow and are leaving for the highlands in the morning and so I should try to get back to sleep!
If I am not blogging in the next few days please don't worry as I am not sure that we will have internet access. We will be back in Guatemala City on Friday.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Guatemala City- Zona 2
Well here we are in Guatemala City!! We (the RIC contingent) arrived after 2 delays late last night. Thank goodness because our flight out of DC was late getting to Miami which left us about 5 minutes to run to the next gate for our connection to Guatemala (the last flight to Guatemala City for the day). Luckily that flight was also late and so we made it!
We were met at the airport in Guatemala City by the GHRC Executive Director Amanda Martin. We packed our luggage into the van and Gerardo (our trusted driver) brought us to Sister Parish who is hosting the delegation. (www.sisterparish.org) Sister Parish is in Zona 2 in Guatemala City. The house is set right on the street and is well secured with iron doors- we never, ever open the door without asking "quien?" and looking out the small window. The door is also to remain locked at all times. We are not allowed to go anywhere without letting someone know forst and we must travel in groups of at least two people. This is obviously for our safety.
There are a few bedrooms with enough beds and each room has a bathroom (don't use the water to brush your teeth!). There is a patio in the back and also steps that lead to an upstairs patio which is surrounded by a barbed-wire fence.
We got to the house and Amanda was gracious and had prepared a traditional Guatemalan meal of tortillas, frijoles negros and queso blanco. We were famished. We stayed up and talked for a bit about what our plan was for today while we waited for the rest of the delegation to arrive from various places in the US.
It was now time for bed...we were all exhausted. As exhausted as we were a few of us could not sleep! I was one of them. The street noise was pretty loud, airplanes fly low and there is a bright light shining in my bedroom. Then I woke up at 6:30am for no good reason.
We came down to a great breakfast of fresh hard-boiled eggs, lychee fruit, fresh bread from St. Martin bakery which is a few blocks away. Then we were going to La Esperanza to meet with a group of women.
We traveled to La Ezperanza which is in La Zona 12 (one of if not the most dangerous Zone in Guatemala City). We were with Gerardo, Amanda and the RIC contingent and also a few newcomers. Gerardo had to drive the truck right into the driveway which was promptly shut and locked.
We were at UPAVIM- Unidas para vivir mejor which translates to United to live better-this is a group of women that have been working together since 1988 and have built a strong program which I will try to describe here.
We were greeted by Dina (the director of the childcare center and collaborator and all around doer) and taken upstairs through the first floor which appeared to be a nursery school, complete with child sized toilets that actually flushed! Our delegation sat in a circle and introduced ourselves to our hostesses- Dina, Tirsa (Administrative Assistant), Blanca Estrella (she takes care of the maintenance of the building), Mayra (Vice President of UPAVIM and upper school teacher).
Dina began by telling us of the history of the community of La Esperanza. La Esperanza (Hope), is a squatter settlement located to the south of Guatemala City in the area of Mezquital. These communities began in the 80s with the arrival of people displaced from rural areas during Guatemala´s 42-year Civil War that the country suffered.Today the are six locations in our areas. the colony Mezquital, Villa Lobos I, Villa Lobos II, El Bucaro and y La Jolla. La Esperanza has more than 5000 citizens. When these settlers first arrived in the valleys there were absolutely no resources and no potable water. Children were sick and their were epidemics like diarhhea constantly. The community of La Esperanza would use "aguas negras" or dirty water for whatever they needed. The settlers in La Esperanza tried to bargain with the settlers Mezquital for potable water. Mezquital would not sell their water so La Esperanza hooked up PVC pipes that allowed them to get potable water from the Mezquital region. In time this community began to organize themselves in order to build and sustain their community. The army wanted to come in and run them out because technically the land did not belong to them.
At one point the army came and surrounded the community, the communities response was to stand in a circle with their children in front of them in between the army and themselves to see if the army would shoot all of their children, they did not. Changes began to occur with the government's assistance only after the commuity left the corpse of one of the poorest members of their communities dead child on the steps of the Palacio Nacional (the National Palace).
So the idea for UPAVIM came about when Dina and Mayra met an American woman by the name of Barbara Fenske a nurse who had heard about the situation in La Esperanza and was shocked by the number of children dying. Ms. Fenske went to Mezquital and was helping to treat children in a clinic in Mezquital when she met Dina. Dina and many women in the community had similar stories. Many children, illiteracy, alcoholic husbands, parents are gang members, instances of domestic violence and other tragic stories. The mothers in this community had to leave their children at home to go and work in order to feed their families at times their 6 year old children would be left to watch the babies. There were many accidents involving children while they were unattended at home such as burns, and accidental drownings in latrines.
UPAVIM has truly built an amazing program with the spark of empowerment that Ms. Fenske helped to instill in these women. Today they run 5 programs which include a Montessori nursery school, a grade school for children K-6th grade, a scholarship program, an artesania (arts and crafts- fair trade which can be bought in RIC at Ten Thousand Villages in Carytown http://www.tenthousandvillages.com/), and a medical clinic which has recently started operating its own lab.
The women in this collaborative have overcome many barriers in order to better their lives and the lives of their community. The pride they have is immeasurable and they are truly an inspiration. We were all so moved by their indivudual stories and how they succeeded in building this collaborative and these successful programs and continue to thrive. UPAVIM offers women a chance to provide for their families. It employs about 80 women from the community and offers a reduced rate for the school for employees of approximately 35 Quetzales and other community members pay about 70 Quetzales monthly. The school provides some scholarships on a need basis and also provides school supplies (we will be sending a donation soon!- Stay tuned for more information on how to donate school supplies). This work program allows the moms a flexible work schedule (artesania program) and also allows some of the mothers to work from home so that they may spend time with their children. Every month the artesania program donates some of its earnings to the school porgram. The school program also provides the children with a nutritious breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack.
After this exciting meeting with the ladies of UPAVIM we headed back into Zona 2 to get ready for lunch. We walked a few blocks over to a cafeteria that had some typical Guatemalteco lunch offerings. After lunch we walked over to a topographical map of Guatemala. This was very interesting as I did not realize how largea county Guatemala is nor how mountainous it is.
We left the park where the map is located and jumped in 2 cabs, we were excited as Amanda had arranged a tour of El Palacio Nacional which is almost unheard of . The Palacio Nacional is called El Centro de Cultura which is "Cultural Center". Well where we come from a cultural center is open to all people. In Guatemala that is not expecially true. El Palacio Nacional is a place that has a rich political history. We were given a private tour of this beautiful building and then went to dinner.
We returned to Sister Parish and continued our conversations about the situation here in Guatemala, then watched Killer's Paradise a BBC Documentary about the epidemic here.
Everyone else has left me to go to bed as it is late and we are getting up early.....I am signing off hope you found the recount of our first day informative and tomorrow you will have the pleasure of reading someone else recount our day!
We were met at the airport in Guatemala City by the GHRC Executive Director Amanda Martin. We packed our luggage into the van and Gerardo (our trusted driver) brought us to Sister Parish who is hosting the delegation. (www.sisterparish.org) Sister Parish is in Zona 2 in Guatemala City. The house is set right on the street and is well secured with iron doors- we never, ever open the door without asking "quien?" and looking out the small window. The door is also to remain locked at all times. We are not allowed to go anywhere without letting someone know forst and we must travel in groups of at least two people. This is obviously for our safety.
There are a few bedrooms with enough beds and each room has a bathroom (don't use the water to brush your teeth!). There is a patio in the back and also steps that lead to an upstairs patio which is surrounded by a barbed-wire fence.
We got to the house and Amanda was gracious and had prepared a traditional Guatemalan meal of tortillas, frijoles negros and queso blanco. We were famished. We stayed up and talked for a bit about what our plan was for today while we waited for the rest of the delegation to arrive from various places in the US.
It was now time for bed...we were all exhausted. As exhausted as we were a few of us could not sleep! I was one of them. The street noise was pretty loud, airplanes fly low and there is a bright light shining in my bedroom. Then I woke up at 6:30am for no good reason.
We came down to a great breakfast of fresh hard-boiled eggs, lychee fruit, fresh bread from St. Martin bakery which is a few blocks away. Then we were going to La Esperanza to meet with a group of women.
We traveled to La Ezperanza which is in La Zona 12 (one of if not the most dangerous Zone in Guatemala City). We were with Gerardo, Amanda and the RIC contingent and also a few newcomers. Gerardo had to drive the truck right into the driveway which was promptly shut and locked.
We were at UPAVIM- Unidas para vivir mejor which translates to United to live better-this is a group of women that have been working together since 1988 and have built a strong program which I will try to describe here.
We were greeted by Dina (the director of the childcare center and collaborator and all around doer) and taken upstairs through the first floor which appeared to be a nursery school, complete with child sized toilets that actually flushed! Our delegation sat in a circle and introduced ourselves to our hostesses- Dina, Tirsa (Administrative Assistant), Blanca Estrella (she takes care of the maintenance of the building), Mayra (Vice President of UPAVIM and upper school teacher).
Dina began by telling us of the history of the community of La Esperanza. La Esperanza (Hope), is a squatter settlement located to the south of Guatemala City in the area of Mezquital. These communities began in the 80s with the arrival of people displaced from rural areas during Guatemala´s 42-year Civil War that the country suffered.Today the are six locations in our areas. the colony Mezquital, Villa Lobos I, Villa Lobos II, El Bucaro and y La Jolla. La Esperanza has more than 5000 citizens. When these settlers first arrived in the valleys there were absolutely no resources and no potable water. Children were sick and their were epidemics like diarhhea constantly. The community of La Esperanza would use "aguas negras" or dirty water for whatever they needed. The settlers in La Esperanza tried to bargain with the settlers Mezquital for potable water. Mezquital would not sell their water so La Esperanza hooked up PVC pipes that allowed them to get potable water from the Mezquital region. In time this community began to organize themselves in order to build and sustain their community. The army wanted to come in and run them out because technically the land did not belong to them.
At one point the army came and surrounded the community, the communities response was to stand in a circle with their children in front of them in between the army and themselves to see if the army would shoot all of their children, they did not. Changes began to occur with the government's assistance only after the commuity left the corpse of one of the poorest members of their communities dead child on the steps of the Palacio Nacional (the National Palace).
So the idea for UPAVIM came about when Dina and Mayra met an American woman by the name of Barbara Fenske a nurse who had heard about the situation in La Esperanza and was shocked by the number of children dying. Ms. Fenske went to Mezquital and was helping to treat children in a clinic in Mezquital when she met Dina. Dina and many women in the community had similar stories. Many children, illiteracy, alcoholic husbands, parents are gang members, instances of domestic violence and other tragic stories. The mothers in this community had to leave their children at home to go and work in order to feed their families at times their 6 year old children would be left to watch the babies. There were many accidents involving children while they were unattended at home such as burns, and accidental drownings in latrines.
UPAVIM has truly built an amazing program with the spark of empowerment that Ms. Fenske helped to instill in these women. Today they run 5 programs which include a Montessori nursery school, a grade school for children K-6th grade, a scholarship program, an artesania (arts and crafts- fair trade which can be bought in RIC at Ten Thousand Villages in Carytown http://www.tenthousandvillages.com/), and a medical clinic which has recently started operating its own lab.
The women in this collaborative have overcome many barriers in order to better their lives and the lives of their community. The pride they have is immeasurable and they are truly an inspiration. We were all so moved by their indivudual stories and how they succeeded in building this collaborative and these successful programs and continue to thrive. UPAVIM offers women a chance to provide for their families. It employs about 80 women from the community and offers a reduced rate for the school for employees of approximately 35 Quetzales and other community members pay about 70 Quetzales monthly. The school provides some scholarships on a need basis and also provides school supplies (we will be sending a donation soon!- Stay tuned for more information on how to donate school supplies). This work program allows the moms a flexible work schedule (artesania program) and also allows some of the mothers to work from home so that they may spend time with their children. Every month the artesania program donates some of its earnings to the school porgram. The school program also provides the children with a nutritious breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack.
After this exciting meeting with the ladies of UPAVIM we headed back into Zona 2 to get ready for lunch. We walked a few blocks over to a cafeteria that had some typical Guatemalteco lunch offerings. After lunch we walked over to a topographical map of Guatemala. This was very interesting as I did not realize how largea county Guatemala is nor how mountainous it is.
We left the park where the map is located and jumped in 2 cabs, we were excited as Amanda had arranged a tour of El Palacio Nacional which is almost unheard of . The Palacio Nacional is called El Centro de Cultura which is "Cultural Center". Well where we come from a cultural center is open to all people. In Guatemala that is not expecially true. El Palacio Nacional is a place that has a rich political history. We were given a private tour of this beautiful building and then went to dinner.
We returned to Sister Parish and continued our conversations about the situation here in Guatemala, then watched Killer's Paradise a BBC Documentary about the epidemic here.
Everyone else has left me to go to bed as it is late and we are getting up early.....I am signing off hope you found the recount of our first day informative and tomorrow you will have the pleasure of reading someone else recount our day!
Friday, July 31, 2009
Counting Down
I am sitting in my living room counting down til I leave later! Watching the Today show. I am so excited not so excited about the weather! But I think Matt is making me pancakes before we go to the airport. Surprisingly I slept really well last night. Well this is my last post til tomorrow hopefully! I know its not that scintillating! Keep yourselves busy by reading up on Mayan History or Guatemala's political history!
Peace and Love!
Peace and Love!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
People we are meeting with
I looked over our itinerary and am so excited about the organizations and people we are meeting with! They include parents of women who have been kidnapped and ultimately murdered. We are meeting with labor organizers and meeting with women who put their lives on the line every day in order to bring attention to the femicide that is occurring in Guatemala.
I feel honored to have this opportunity to travel abroad and be inspired by these women and organizations that recognize the injustices and oppression that are taking place. I look forward to coming back home and being able to engage in meaningful conversations and enlighten people with what I have learned. You know there are letters to our nations leaders in my future!
I love you all and thank you so much for making this trip possible. Thank you for your support and love and listening to me when I need it most!
I feel honored to have this opportunity to travel abroad and be inspired by these women and organizations that recognize the injustices and oppression that are taking place. I look forward to coming back home and being able to engage in meaningful conversations and enlighten people with what I have learned. You know there are letters to our nations leaders in my future!
I love you all and thank you so much for making this trip possible. Thank you for your support and love and listening to me when I need it most!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Reading Material
I am leaving for Guatemala in a few days and so have been cramming. This means I have been reading Guatemalan history. I had heard that the CIA and United States were involved in supplying and providing weapons to Guatemalan militants. I however did not realize how extensive the US participation was/is. I have become slightly anxious about my trip. I know that my father-in-law and husband are also concerned.
A friend of mine is currently spending a year in Thailand doing community organizing work around eco-issues involving mines, landfills etc. She spent 3 days in the hospital because of a really high fever and flu symptoms. She reported that although the country is currently having a shortage of Tamiflu she was given some. Why? She thinks that it is simply because she is American and thus "privileged". This got me thinking about privilege. In school I remember thinking about oppression and oppressors a lot. I was introspective enough to realize my "good fortune" this meant that as a Latina women, I was lucky enough and grateful to be where I was. Luck? or Privilege? What is the difference? Help me out here............
I know that I am privileged as an American woman. How many foreign countries "allow" their women to choose their husbands (much less one that does not have the same skin color or Heritage), let their women live with the opposite sex if unmarried, and ultimately pursue a higher education much less a Master's Degree?
Although I am not typically a Hillary lover this article did make me somewhat happy and hopeful.
http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?article=hillarys_challenge
According to information I have read the current Guatemalan administration might be interested in making some changes.
IFebruary 2009
A friend of mine is currently spending a year in Thailand doing community organizing work around eco-issues involving mines, landfills etc. She spent 3 days in the hospital because of a really high fever and flu symptoms. She reported that although the country is currently having a shortage of Tamiflu she was given some. Why? She thinks that it is simply because she is American and thus "privileged". This got me thinking about privilege. In school I remember thinking about oppression and oppressors a lot. I was introspective enough to realize my "good fortune" this meant that as a Latina women, I was lucky enough and grateful to be where I was. Luck? or Privilege? What is the difference? Help me out here............
I know that I am privileged as an American woman. How many foreign countries "allow" their women to choose their husbands (much less one that does not have the same skin color or Heritage), let their women live with the opposite sex if unmarried, and ultimately pursue a higher education much less a Master's Degree?
Although I am not typically a Hillary lover this article did make me somewhat happy and hopeful.
http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?article=hillarys_challenge
According to information I have read the current Guatemalan administration might be interested in making some changes.
IFebruary 2009
Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs
![Mayan ruins of Tikal, Guatemala, August 20, 2005. [© AP Images]](http://www.state.gov/cms_images/guatemala_tikal_2005_08_202.jpg) |
| Mayan ruins of Tikal, Guatemala, August 20, 2005. [© AP Images] |
PROFILE
OFFICIAL NAME:
Republic of Guatemala
Geography
Area: 108,890 sq. km. (42,042 sq. mi.); about the size of Tennessee.
Cities: Capital--Guatemala City (metro area pop. 2.5 million). Other major cities--Quetzaltenango, Escuintla.
Terrain: Mountainous, with fertile coastal plain.
Climate: Temperate in highlands; tropical on coasts.
People
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Guatemalan(s).
Population (2009 est.): 14.02 million.
Annual population growth rate (2009 est.): 2.4%.
Ethnic groups: Mestizo (mixed Spanish-Indian), indigenous.
Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant, traditional Mayan.
Languages: Spanish, 24 indigenous languages (principally Kiche, Kaqchikel, Q'eqchi, and Mam).
Education: Years compulsory--6. Attendance--41%. Literacy--70.6%.
Health: Infant mortality rate (2005)--32/1,000. Life expectancy (2005)--69 yrs.
Work force salaried breakdown: Services--42%; industry and commerce--37%; agriculture--14%; construction, mining, utilities, transportation, and communications--7%. Fifty percent of the population engages in some form of agriculture, often at the subsistence level outside the monetized economy.
Government
Type: Constitutional democratic republic.
Constitution: May 1985; amended November 1993.
Independence: September 15, 1821.
Branches: Executive--president (4-year term; 1 term limit). Legislative--unicameral 158-member Congress (4-year term). Judicial--13-member Supreme Court of Justice (5-year term).
Subdivisions: 22 departments (appointed governors); 331 municipalities with elected mayors and city councils.
Major political parties: National Union for Hope (UNE), Grand National Alliance (GANA), Patriot Party (PP), Guatemalan Republican Front (FRG), National Advancement Party (PAN), Unionists (Unionistas), Encounter for Guatemala (EG).
Suffrage: Universal for adults 18 and over who are not serving on active duty with the armed forces or police. A variety of procedural obstacles have historically reduced participation by poor, rural, and indigenous people, but implementation in 2007 of voting reform legislation nearly doubled the number of polling places, resulting in higher participation in rural areas, including among indigenous people.
PEOPLE
More than half of Guatemalans are descendants of indigenous Mayan peoples. Westernized Mayans and mestizos (mixed European and indigenous ancestry) are known as Ladinos. Most of Guatemala's population is rural, though urbanization is accelerating. The predominant religion is Roman Catholicism, into which many indigenous Guatemalans have incorporated traditional forms of worship. Protestantism and traditional Mayan religions are practiced by an estimated 40% and 1% of the population, respectively. Though the official language is Spanish, it is not universally understood among the indigenous population. The peace accords signed in December 1996 provide for the translation of some official documents and voting materials into several indigenous languages.
HISTORY
The Mayan civilization flourished throughout much of Guatemala and the surrounding region long before the Spanish arrived, but it was already in decline when the Mayans were defeated by Pedro de Alvarado in 1523-24. The first colonial capital, Ciudad Vieja, was ruined by floods and an earthquake in 1542. Survivors founded Antigua, the second capital, in 1543. Antigua was destroyed by two earthquakes in 1773. The remnants of its Spanish colonial architecture have been preserved as a national monument. The third capital, Guatemala City, was founded in 1776.
Guatemala gained independence from Spain on September 15, 1821; it briefly became part of the Mexican Empire, and then for a period belonged to a federation called the United Provinces of Central America. From the mid-19th century until the mid-1980s, the country passed through a series of dictatorships, insurgencies (particularly beginning in the 1960s), coups, and stretches of military rule with only occasional periods of representative government.
1944 to 1986
In 1944, Gen. Jorge Ubico's dictatorship was overthrown by the "October Revolutionaries," a group of dissident military officers, students, and liberal professionals. A civilian President, Juan Jose Arevalo, was elected in 1945 and held the presidency until 1951. Social reforms initiated by Arevalo were continued by his successor, Col. Jacobo Arbenz. Arbenz permitted the communist Guatemalan Labor Party to gain legal status in 1952. The army refused to defend the Arbenz government when a U.S.-backed group led by Col. Carlos Castillo Armas invaded the country from Honduras in 1954 and quickly took over the government. Gen. Miguel Ydigoras Fuentes took power in 1958 following the murder of Colonel Castillo Armas.
In response to the increasingly autocratic rule of Ydigoras Fuentes, a group of junior military officers revolted in 1960. When they failed, several went into hiding and established close ties with Cuba. This group became the nucleus of the forces that were in armed insurrection against the government for the next 36 years. Four principal left-wing guerrilla groups--the Guerrilla Army of the Poor (EGP), the Revolutionary Organization of Armed People (ORPA), the Rebel Armed Forces (FAR), and the Guatemalan Labor Party (PGT)--conducted economic sabotage and targeted government installations and members of government security forces in armed attacks. These organizations combined to form the Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity (URNG) in 1982.
Shortly after President Julio Cesar Mendez Montenegro took office in 1966, the army launched a major counterinsurgency campaign that largely broke up the guerrilla movement in the countryside. The guerrillas then concentrated their attacks in Guatemala City, where they assassinated many leading figures, including U.S. Ambassador John Gordon Mein in 1968. Between 1966 and 1982, there was a series of military or military-dominated governments.
On March 23, 1982, army troops commanded by junior officers staged a coup to prevent the assumption of power by Gen. Angel Anibal Guevara, the hand-picked candidate of outgoing President and Gen. Romeo Lucas Garcia. They denounced Guevara's electoral victory as fraudulent. The coup leaders asked retired Gen. Efrain Rios Montt to negotiate the departure of Lucas and Guevara.
Rios Montt was at this time a lay pastor in the evangelical protestant "Church of the Word." He formed a three-member military junta that annulled the 1965 constitution, dissolved Congress, suspended political parties, and canceled the electoral law. After a few months, Rios Montt dismissed his junta colleagues and assumed the de facto title of "President of the Republic."
Guerrilla forces and their leftist allies denounced Rios Montt. Rios Montt sought to defeat the guerrillas with military actions and economic reforms; in his words, "rifles and beans." The government began to form local civilian defense patrols (PACs). Participation was in theory voluntary, but in reality, many Guatemalans, especially in the heavily indigenous northwest, had no choice but to join either the PACs or the guerrillas. Rios Montt's conscript army and PACs recaptured essentially all guerrilla territory--guerrilla activity lessened and was largely limited to hit-and-run operations. However, Rios Montt won this partial victory at an enormous cost in civilian deaths, in what was probably the most violent period of the 36-year internal conflict, resulting in about 200,000 deaths of mostly unarmed indigenous civilians.
On August 8, 1983, Rios Montt was deposed by his own Minister of Defense, Gen. Oscar Humberto Mejia Victores, who succeeded him as de facto President of Guatemala. Rios Montt survived to found a political party (the Guatemalan Republic Front) and to be elected President of Congress in 1995 and 2000. Awareness in the United States of the conflict in Guatemala, and its ethnic dimension, increased with the 1983 publication of the book I, Rigoberta Menchu, An Indian Woman in Guatemala.
General Mejia allowed a managed return to democracy in Guatemala, starting with a July 1, 1984 election for a Constituent Assembly to draft a democratic constitution. On May 30, 1985, after 9 months of debate, the Constituent Assembly finished drafting a new constitution, which took effect immediately. Vinicio Cerezo, a civilian politician and the presidential candidate of the Christian Democracy Party, won the first election held under the new constitution with almost 70% of the vote, and took office on January 14, 1986.
1986 to 2007
Upon its inauguration in January 1986, President Cerezo's civilian government announced that its top priorities would be to end the political violence and establish the rule of law. Reforms included new laws of habeas corpus and amparo (court-ordered protection), the creation of a legislative human rights committee, and the establishment in 1987 of the Office of Human Rights Ombudsman. Cerezo survived coup attempts in 1988 and 1989, and the final 2 years of Cerezo's government were also marked by a failing economy, strikes, protest marches, and allegations of widespread corruption.
Presidential and congressional elections were held on November 11, 1990. After a runoff ballot, Jorge Serrano was inaugurated on January 14, 1991, thus completing the first transition from one democratically elected civilian government to another.
The Serrano administration's record was mixed. It had some success in consolidating civilian control over the army, replacing a number of senior officers and persuading the military to participate in peace talks with the URNG. Serrano took the politically unpopular step of recognizing the sovereignty of Belize. The Serrano government reversed the economic slide it inherited, reducing inflation and boosting real growth.
On May 25, 1993, Serrano illegally dissolved Congress and the Supreme Court and tried to restrict civil freedoms, allegedly to fight corruption. The "autogolpe" (or self-initiated coup) failed due to unified, strong protests by most elements of Guatemalan society, international pressure, and the army's enforcement of the decisions of the Court of Constitutionality, which ruled against the attempted takeover. Serrano fled the country.
On June 5, 1993, the Congress, pursuant to the 1985 constitution, elected the Human Rights Ombudsman, Ramiro De Leon Carpio, to complete Serrano's presidential term. De Leon, not a member of any political party and lacking a political base but with strong popular support, launched an ambitious anticorruption campaign to "purify" Congress and the Supreme Court, demanding the resignations of all members of the two bodies.
Despite considerable congressional resistance, presidential and popular pressure led to a November 1993 agreement brokered by the Catholic Church between the administration and Congress. This package of constitutional reforms was approved by popular referendum on January 30, 1994. In August 1994, a new Congress was elected to complete the unexpired term.
Under De Leon, the peace process, now brokered by the United Nations, took on new life. The government and the URNG signed agreements on human rights (March 1994), resettlement of displaced persons (June 1994), historical clarification (June 1994), and indigenous rights (March 1995). They also made significant progress on a socioeconomic and agrarian agreement. National elections for president, the Congress, and municipal offices were held in November 1995. With almost 20 parties competing in the first round, the presidential election came down to a January 7, 1996 runoff in which National Advancement Party (PAN) candidate Alvaro Arzu defeated Alfonso Portillo of the Guatemalan Republican Front (FRG) by just over 2% of the vote. Under the Arzu administration, peace negotiations were concluded, and the government signed peace accords ending the 36-year internal conflict in December 1996. The human rights situation also improved during Arzu's tenure, and steps were taken to reduce the influence of the military in national affairs.
In a December 1999 presidential runoff, Alfonso Portillo (FRG) won 68% of the vote to 32% for Oscar Berger (PAN). Portillo's impressive electoral triumph, with two-thirds of the vote in the second round, gave him a claim to a mandate from the people to carry out his reform program. In February 2004, Portillo fled to Mexico to escape corruption charges.
Oscar Berger of the Grand National Alliance (GANA) party won the November 9, 2003 presidential election, receiving 54.1% of the vote. His opponent, Alvarado Colom Caballeros of the National Unity for Hope (UNE) party, received 45.9% of the vote.
Álvaro Colom of the National Unity for Hope (UNE) party won the November 4, 2007 presidential election against retired General Otto Perez Molina with 52.8% of the vote versus 47.2%.
GOVERNMENT
Guatemala's 1985 constitution provides for a separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government. The 1993 constitutional reforms included an increase in the number of Supreme Court justices from 9 to 13. The reforms reduced the terms of office for president, vice president, and congressional representatives from 5 years to 4 years, and for Supreme Court justices from 6 years to 5 years; they increased the terms of mayors and city councils from 2-1/2 years to 4 years.
The president and vice president are directly elected through universal suffrage and limited to one term. A vice president can run for president after 4 years out of office. Supreme Court justices are elected by the Congress from a list submitted by the bar association, law school deans, a university rector, and appellate judges. The Supreme Court and local courts handle civil and criminal cases. There also is a separate Constitutional Court.
Guatemala has 22 administrative subdivisions (departments) administered by governors appointed by the president. Guatemala City and 331 other municipalities are governed by popularly elected mayors or councils.
Principal Government Officials
President--Álvaro COLOM Caballeros
Vice President--Rafael ESPADA
Minister of Foreign Affairs--Haroldo RODAS
Minister of Government--Francisco JIMENEZ
Minister of Defense--Marco Tulio GARCIA Franco
Ambassador to the U.S.--Francisco VILLAGRAN de Leon
Ambassador to the UN--Gert ROSENTHAL
Ambassador to the OAS--Jorge SKINNER-KLEE
POLITICAL CONDITIONS
Congressional, municipal, and first-round presidential elections took place on September 9, 2007. The final round of presidential elections took place on November 4, 2007. Inauguration for the new president and the new Congress took place on January 14, 2008.
Common and violent crime, aggravated by a legacy of violence and vigilante justice, presents a serious challenge. Impunity remained a major problem, primarily because democratic institutions, including those responsible for the administration of justice, have developed only a limited capacity to cope with this legacy. Guatemala's judiciary is independent; however, it suffers from inefficiency, corruption, and intimidation.
In early December 2006, the government and the UN agreed to the creation of the joint International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG). On August 1, 2007, the Guatemalan Congress approved the agreement, and on January 11, 2008, Guatemala and the United Nations inaugurated the work of CICIG. An earlier Guatemala-UN agreement was ruled unconstitutional in 2004 before it was acted upon by the Guatemalan Congress. The UN Verification Mission in Guatemala (MINUGUA) ceased its 10-year project of monitoring peace accord implementation and human rights problems in November 2004 with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan declaring Guatemala had made "enormous progress in managing the country's problems through dialogue and institutions".
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Are you a feminist?
I was trying to explain discrimination to a seven year old yesterday....his response was to look at me quizzically and bound off to the playground.
This got me thinking about feminism. I am a feminist. I am not however a "radical" feminist. Yes, there is a difference. I don't appreciate the sideways looks I get when I am doing my volunteer work with Planned Parenthood or start a conversation about being a feminist or saying that I appreciate that my husband is a feminist. ( albeit not a self-proclaimed feminist-he says to me-"I don't like that label".)
I looked up several definitions and came up with one that makes me feel good about the word feminism/feminist- advocating for and understanding that all people deserve equal rights including women.
Why must everyone think there is something wrong with the word feminism? Does anyone have a valid explanation for me? And if you do- please share it here for me on the comment section because I want to understand.
Do you think that everyone that is a feminist is a RADICAL? be honest with yourself. What is the first thing you think of when you hear that word? Say it.....feminist.....it does not taste that bad does it?
Let me know what you think.
This got me thinking about feminism. I am a feminist. I am not however a "radical" feminist. Yes, there is a difference. I don't appreciate the sideways looks I get when I am doing my volunteer work with Planned Parenthood or start a conversation about being a feminist or saying that I appreciate that my husband is a feminist. ( albeit not a self-proclaimed feminist-he says to me-"I don't like that label".)
I looked up several definitions and came up with one that makes me feel good about the word feminism/feminist- advocating for and understanding that all people deserve equal rights including women.
Why must everyone think there is something wrong with the word feminism? Does anyone have a valid explanation for me? And if you do- please share it here for me on the comment section because I want to understand.
Do you think that everyone that is a feminist is a RADICAL? be honest with yourself. What is the first thing you think of when you hear that word? Say it.....feminist.....it does not taste that bad does it?
Let me know what you think.
Friday, July 17, 2009
International Commission against impunity in Guatemala
In December 2006, the United Nations and the Guatemalan government signed an agreement to establish an independent International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG). The purpose of CICIG is to investigate and promote the prosecution of illegal security organizations. These powerful clandestine groups are allegedly responsible for frequent attacks against human rights defenders, as well as involved in corruption, organized crime, drug trafficking and political violence.
Yesterday, the Guatemalan Congress ratified the extension of the mandate of the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala, CICIG, for two more years.
This groups mandate is to help to investigate the activities of illegal armed groups in Guatemala and to propose necessary legislation to be able to effectively prosecute cases. The Director of CICIG, Carlos Castrasena was pleased with the ratification and said that the Guatemalan Government needs to pass laws that make these crimes punishable. However there has been recent attacks against CICIG's credibility. This is thought to be because CICIG has successfully started prosecution in several crimes.
It seems that the more successful CICIG is in prosecuting these crimes the more scrutiny they will face by their detractors.
Yesterday, the Guatemalan Congress ratified the extension of the mandate of the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala, CICIG, for two more years.
This groups mandate is to help to investigate the activities of illegal armed groups in Guatemala and to propose necessary legislation to be able to effectively prosecute cases. The Director of CICIG, Carlos Castrasena was pleased with the ratification and said that the Guatemalan Government needs to pass laws that make these crimes punishable. However there has been recent attacks against CICIG's credibility. This is thought to be because CICIG has successfully started prosecution in several crimes.
It seems that the more successful CICIG is in prosecuting these crimes the more scrutiny they will face by their detractors.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Guatemala Human Rights Commission Information
GHRC Mission
Founded in 1982, the Guatemala Human Rights Commission/USA (GHRC) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, humanitarian organization that monitors, documents, and reports on the human rights situation in Guatemala, advocates for survivors of human rights abuses in Guatemala, and works toward positive, systemic change.
What is happening in Guatemala?
Since 2000, over 3,000 Guatemalan women have been murdered, many of them first abducted and subjected to brutal sexual violence, mutilation, and torture. These gender-based, barbaric crimes have been characterized as “femicides.” Amnesty International places most of the victims between the ages of 16-36 and identifies them as students, housewives and professionals, domestic employees, unskilled workers, members or former members of street youth gangs, and sex workers. In many cases the victims are kidnapped, subjected to severe beatings, rape, sexual mutilation, or perverse torture, then killed and subsequently deposited in relatively public areas.
Year | Number of Women Killed |
2001 | 317 |
2002 | 317 |
2003 | 383 |
2004 | 497 |
2005 | 517 |
2006 | 603 |
2007 | 590 |
2008 | 722 |
Total: | 3496 |
The atrocities committed against women now in Guatemala stem from the violence committed during the 36-year civil war that officially ended in 1996. During the internal armed conflict, paramilitary groups and government soldiers committed widespread human rights violations against women, including using routine rape as a counterrevolutionary tactic. Certain Guatemalan social and cultural norms that endorse the inferiority and domination of women continue this pattern of violence.
Today, sexual harassment, domestic violence, and rape are commonplace in Guatemalan society. A study conducted by la Comisión Nacional para la Prevención de la Violencia Intrafamiliar (CONAPREVI) found that many Guatemalans view abuse as something natural and believe that it is caused by alcoholism, drug addiction, and unemployment. In addition, El Organismo Judicial documented approximately 39,000 cases of intrafamily violence (physical, psychological, and sexual) between January and September 2008.
Furthermore, many young girls are commercially and sexually trafficked against their will. As mentioned earlier, girls who voluntarily or involuntarily become involved in gangs or with gang members often become victims of gang-related violence and vengeance. Some women, not necessarily gang members, have been murdered as a form of revenge or to instill terror or intimidate the local population. Due to incompetent authorities and a weak, underfunded justice system, crimes in Guatemala rarely go punished. Widespread impunity protects criminals and leaves the door open for more violence to occur since perpetrators know they will never face any legal consequences of their actions.
Information Taken from: http://www.ghrc-usa.org/Programs/ForWomensRighttoLive/FAQs.htm#What
This is the information that I think really interested me in going to Guatemala. No, I don't think I can stop this BUT I do think that together we can start having conversations about how to ameliorate these issues.
I read a report the other day about a murder in Guatemala City where a woman was killed because she had red nail polish on and this automatically categorized her as a "sex worker". Basic rights are being violated in Guatemala and I know that there are so many issues here in the US however I also think that we should not be oblivious to the injustices that go on in other countries. Think about how lucky we are.
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