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- CEJIL celebrates women who fight for the rights for everyone
CEJIL celebrates women who fight for the rights for everyone
San Jose Costa Rica and Washington DC, March 7, 2014– On March 8, International Women’s Day, the Center for Justice and International Law (CEJIL) commemorates the women who fight day after day for the construction of a more equal and just world.
In many countries women have had an influential role in the protests against gender violence as well as advancing public policies that combat inequality and discrimination. Nevertheless, challenges persist and the struggle for equality continues to be far away.
This year celebrates the 20 anniversary of the signing of the Inter-Americana Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence Against Women “Convention of Belem do Para.” Despite the high number of States in the Americas to have ratified the important international treaty, its effective implementation is insufficient.
Important gaps exist which show that gender discrimination is present in the Americas. For example, the Economic Commission for Latin America’s (ECLA) data shows that female political participation is less than 30%.
In the area of violence, the Committee of Experts (CEVI) of the Mechanism for Follow up on the Implementation of the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment, and Eradication of Violence Against Women, Convention of Belem do Para” (MESECVI) stated that in 2011 femicides and impunity for violence against women increased in the majority of Latin American countries.
“Violence against women limits their empowerment and perpetuates discrimination as well as the structure of domination towards that population. Latin American States should comply with their international obligations and take effective actions to eradicate all practices that undermine the dignity of women, in order to effectively punish the different violent protests in opposition and to construct a strong institution that guarantees rights in equal conditions,” reminded Viviana Krsticevic, CEJIL’s Executive Director.
CEJIL represents a numerous victims of gender violence from the Americas. Cases like Beatriz in El Slavador, a young woman who was not given access to a therapeutic abortion, are a reminder of the consequences of prohibitive legislations that do not protect the life nor the health of women at risk.
Cases like the women of Atenco in Maxico (47 women who suffered sexual torture by police agents in retaliation for peacefully protesting), Jineth Bedoya (a case on sexual violence in Colombia), and MZ (a case on sexual violence in Bolivia), show that gender and sexual violence continue to be a reality for Latin American women, and many of the cases remain in a state of impunity.
CEJIL joins the voices of those who long for a continent free of violence and discrimination. On this International Women’s Day, CEJIL calls on the States in the Americas to equally respect and guarantee human rights for all.
Press Contact
Daniela Araya
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