(Aldara Zarraoa/Getty Images) |
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Dear John,
Today President Bernardo Arévalo of Guatemala is set to recognize the State’s responsibility in the femicide of Claudina Velásquez in line with the ruling of the Inter-American Court on Human Rights. As civil society organizations urge other States in the region to address femicide and sexual violence in the region, WOLA is deepening its commitment to issues of Gender and Racial Justice.
This week we marked International Women’s Day by hosting a panel discussion with three outstanding human rights leaders from the region: Luz Marina Becerra (Colombia), Altagracia Jean Joseph (Dominican Republic) and Quiteria Franco (Venezuela). A video recording is available here. And ahead of elections in Mexico in June, we recently hosted an online panel discussion with three leading advocates from Mexico on what a female presidency could mean for human rights and women’s rights.
These events highlight how vital it is for women leaders to be at the forefront of tackling the complex human rights issues we are facing in the Americas. Their resilience, perspective and lived experiences makes their voices unique and all the more important. WOLA will be facilitating their leadership and guaranteeing that all human rights work has a transversal gender, LGBTQI and ethnic approach. In solidarity, |
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| Gimena Sánchez Director for the Andes |
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INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY #8M |
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In this panel discussion on the fight for gender and racial justice throughout the Americas, Luz Marina Becerra (La Comadre - Colombia), Altagracia Jean Joseph (Fundación Código Humano - Dominican Republic), and Quiteria Franco (Union Afirmativa - Venezuela) joined Director for Mexico, Stephanie Brewer, and program assistants for Mexico and Defense Oversight and Venezuela, Ana Lucía Verduzco and Sienna Woo.
- 🇨🇴 In a letter to Colombian Minister of Defense, Iván Velásquez, WOLA expressed concern for the insecurity faced by social leaders, rural communities, and ethnic groups. This statement is in Spanish.
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In April 2022, WOLA launched its one-of-a-kind Border Oversight Database, which documents hundreds of reports of human rights violations and abuses against migrants and asylum seekers at the U.S.-Mexico border. |
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"Civil society has a crucial role to play in any country, and the population needs to be able to exercise its rights to organize, defend human rights and seek improvements in its communities. However, civil society actors shouldn’t be expected to substitute for the State, especially when it places them at risk."
Stephanie Brewer Director for Mexico
– Latin America Advisor (The Dialogue), How Much Is Civil Society Brokering Peace in Mexico?
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The WOLA Sally Yudelman Internship program seeks to provide unique mentorship and hands-on experience for the next generation of human rights advocates in Latin America. Apply by March 31!
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SAVE THE DATE:
WOLA'S 50th ANNIVERSARY |
Join WOLA’s Board member, Dr. Mary Ellsberg, in congratulating WOLA for 50 years of human rights work in Latin America! Learn more about ad space in our 50th Anniversary WOLA Human Rights Awards Ceremony and Benefit Gala program. |
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Please consider making a gift to support the creation of our Weekly Newsletter, and all areas of our human rights advocacy work, by clicking the button above. Thank You! |
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