Women

Here's a round-up of some interesting articles that reflect on what the conviction of former Guatemalan dictator Efrain Rios Montt means for the victims and survivors of abuses perpetrated during the civil war.

Why genocide conviction of Guatemala's former dictator matters - Anastasia Moloney, Thomson Reuters Foundation

Guatemala's Maya finally find justice over civil war crimes - Reuters

Guatemalan war rape victims break silence in genocide trial - Anastasia Moloney, Thomson Reuters Foundation

When pre-trial Judge Carol Patricia Flores ordered on April 18 that the trial against former Guatemalan general Efraín Ríos Montt be suspended and for the proceeding to start at square one due to the supposed need to rule on a number of motions that were left unresolved since 2011, the human rights community was thrown into a flurry of confusion, rage and feeling of impotence, writes Viviana Waisman, founder and executive director of Women’s Link Worldwide.

This setback is outrageous for all the survivors of Guatemala's civil war and their families, and puts in peril an opportunity that must not go unmentioned: the opportunity to prosecute gender crimes committed for purposes of carrying out genocide, Waisman argues.

Read her full op-ed on the Thomson Reuters Foundation website: http://www.trust.org/item/20130501130008-12vyz/?source=hpblogs

In a region with high levels of poverty, gender discrimination and violence, trafficking of women continues unabated.

In a new paper, to be launched at the Discussion Forum on Trafficking of Women in Central America on 27 September, Central America Women's Network (CAWN) denounces the links between corporatocracy, militarisation, inequality and state connivance as factors at the root of the trafficking of women and girls within the region and out of it.

Following a brief presentation of the situation, we will screen 'The Lost Girls', a 20-minute documentary about trafficking of women in Honduras.

We would like to gather your thoughts and action ideas for CAWN's campaining.

It'll be a rather informal gathering but we are still asking for confirmation of attendance, preferably by 25 September, by emailing campaigns@cawn.org

Inter Press Service reports that access to justice for women who suffer sexual violence in Central America and southern Mexico remains limited despite the high incidence of rape and other crimes, of which underage girls are the main victims.

"This kind of violence is the most hushed up, hidden, and invisibilised, which means it enjoys the greatest impunity," Marcela Suazo, the United Nations population fund (UNFPA) regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean, told IPS.

http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=108086

The screening of  "Vos, que sos mi hermana" is organised by the Central American Student Association (CASA), in collaboration with the Nicaraguan Embassy, in support of Casa Verde, a youth programme developed in Limon, Nicaragua, aimed at empowering young people to dream.

1st May, 6pm, Room NAB2.14, London School of Economics, Houghton St, London WC2A 2AE

Read the Central America Women's Network (CAWN) spring bulletin.

Includes info on CAWN's 'women's rights, social inclusion and the media' project, Nicaraguan legislation to tackle violence against women, hopes for Guatemala's first female vice-president, and more.... click on the attachment link below for the PDF file.

Date: 27th April 2012

Address: Friends House, George Fox Room, 173-177 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BJ

The Central American Women’s Network (CAWN) and Frauensolidaritäet would like to invite you to the upcoming conference, “Images of exploited and trafficked women: The role of the media and campaigning in women's empowerment”

While there has been growing awareness over the last decade as to the urgency to address trafficking for sexual exploitation and exploitation within the sex-industry, advocates have not always agreed on the most appropriate approach to tackle it. Debates are played out and amplified by media stories, backing the prevalence of dominating discourses.

BLINC and the Bristol Fairtrade Network proudly present a celebration of INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY

Thurs, March 8 at Halo, 141 Glos Rd, Bristol BS7 8BA at 7pm

Key speaker will be Sandra Rojas, women's community activist and fairtrade sesame seed producer from Achuapa in Northern Nicaragua.

Other speakers plus DJs, singer and food. Women and Men welcome. Tickets from http://iwdbristol.eventbrite.co.uk/

Thursday 31 March, 6.30 – 8.30 pm, London

Central America Women’s Network (CAWN) is celebrating 20 years of work promoting women’s rights and gender equality in Central America.

Human Rights Action Centre, 17-25 New Inn Yard, London, EC2A 3EA.

Evelyn Cuellar and Mercedes Lainez from CAWN’s partner organisation in Honduras will be speaking followed by a discussion and drinks reception.

For details of this and other events where Evelyn and Mercedes will be speaking see www.cawn.org

Bristol Link with Nicaragua (BLINC)

Tuesday, March 8

Contribution to International Women's Day with Nathalie Vivas (liaison of the Venezuelan Ambassador to the UK, and head of energy section), Jitzy Centeno (Fairtrade producer from Nicaragua), short documentary and a hot Nicaraguan meal.

Venue: La Ruca, 89 Glos Rd, Bristol BS7 8AS.

Food from 6pm and speakers from 7pm.

All profits will go to a women’s project in Nicaragua.

Tickets £10 from La Ruca or email: jessica.randall@uwe.ac.uk

http://bristolnicaragua.wordpress.com/