Latin American women march against violence

Record ID: 77430

  • Title: Latin American women march against violence
  • Date: 26th November 2016
  • Summary: DANCER PERFORMING WITH COLOMBIAN FLAG AND STATUE OF SIMON BOLIVAR IN THE BACKGROUND
  • Embargoed: 11th December 2016 00:44
  • Keywords: violence women march Chile Argentina Colombia
  • Location: BOGOTA, COLOMBIA / SANTIAGO, CHILE / BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA
  • City: BOGOTA, COLOMBIA / SANTIAGO, CHILE / BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA
  • Country: Colombia
  • Topics: Society/Social Issues
  • Reuters ID: LVA00859Y35FN
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Thousands of women from across Latin America marched on their capital cities on Friday (November 25) to demand an end to violence against women, saying not enough is being done to help women leave situations of violence.
    In Colombia, some thousand women marched to Bogota´s Bolivar Plaza in the name of ending violence against women and securing peace in the country, a day after a new peace deal was signed between the government and Marxist rebels.
    The demonstration was carried out as part of a worldwide movement for International Women´s Day, and saw banners and chants demanding an end to physical, verbal and economic violence against women.
    The Colombian High Councilor for Equity, Marta Ordonez, highlighted the importance of the focus on women´s rights as set out in the peace deal with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), and the need for continued attention in the post-conflict era.
    "Those of us who work for the human rights of women (want to know) what guarantees there will be, what reparations will be made, how we are going to guarantee the no-repetition that women have asked so much for, especially rural, indigenous, and afro-descendent women, so we are making an important step, we are living a historic moment in this country, and I am convinced that we want to live in peace, and women demand this at the top of their voices in so many places all the time," said Ordonez.
    Similar scenes also in Santiago, Chile. According to official statistics from the South American nation, up to 30% of homicides in Chile occur at home.
    "In solidarity with all women, against the violence we go through every day, against violence which recently has become femicide," said local resident, Claudia Alvarez, participating in the march.
    In neighbouring Argentina, activists mobilised outside the country's Congress ahead of their march downtown.
    Recent statistics published in Argentine media revealed that a reported 99% of Argentine women suffered some form of violence with a partner.
    Protesters in Buenos Aires want greater support available for women to escape situations of abuse.
    "We need refuges, we need psychological and attention, free legal services, we need subsidised housing and food so as to rebuild lives after going to a refuge and then after being saved from violence to try and stop femicide," said activist, Vilma Ripoll.
    Domestic violence is illegal in Latin America but under reporting is rife. A study from the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) reported that only 14% of female victims of violence report the crimes against them.
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