NEWS AND EVENTS @ CAWN: The Central America Women's Network

Every day Central American women have their human rights violated. We have created this space to share information on the work that different organisations are doing to challenge these violations, at the same time we would like to share what our partners are doing to raise awareness of the issues.

An important part of CAWN’s work is sharing information with like minded civil society organisations in Central America and Europe. Included on these pages are links to documents and resources that we consider important or innovative contributions to debate on gender violence, and trade and economic rights.

CAWN does not share all opinions expressed in these links and disclaims responsibility for the content of these documents and resources.

____________________________________________________________________

upcoming events

upcoming events to be announced

____________________________________________________________________

Latest News

CAWN seminar series, 'Extreme forms of Violence against Women: Femicide in Mexico and Central America' a success!

Marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, CAWN successfully hosted a series of events entitled “Extreme forms of Violence against Women: Femicide in Mexico and Central America”.

CAWN launched the events with a panel debate on the 25th of November at the House of Commons to discuss femicide – the violent killing of women – in Mexico and Central America, sponsored by Tony Lloyd MP and Chaired by Baroness Uddin. The debate was attended by non-governmental organisations, representatives from the Foreign Commonwealth Office, representatives from the Mexican Embassy, academics and MPs. The panellists from Julia Monarrez of Mexico, Mirta Kennedy of Honduras and Walda Barrios of Guatemala presented on how this extreme form of gender based violence is manifesting itself in each country. The discussion that followed drew on comparisons of violence against women in various regions of the world including the UK, and addressed the issue of what role the UK government play in addressing this issue should.

The following day 26th of November, CAWN hosted a film screening of "Killer's Paradies: Women Victims of Violence in Guatemala", a BBC documentary directed by Giselle Portenier, and followed by a panel discussion. The screening was attended by a range of people and it is estimated that over 30 academics, students, and community members attended.

Closing the week of UK events, CAWN hosted a successful public seminar chaired by Sarah Bradshaw. The seminar was well attended by academics, students, and feminists to develop networks for advocacy and research around the issue of femicide. The panellists initially outlined the situation in each country, followed by a short film screening, and a discussion of what advocacy work has been undertaken at the European level. Some of the issues that ran through the discussion included how to support the work of women’s organisations in Central America and Mexico, drawing the connections between this extreme form of gender-based violence and other forms throughout the world, and the recognition of femicide as a political issue. The seminar was closed with a call to action and a drinks reception to celebrate the work of CAWN and our guests Walda, Mirta, Julia and Andrea.

* * * * *

What can I do in the UK to fight Femicide in the Central America and Mexico?

CAWN recognises the UK Government’s initiatives to deal with the problem of violence against women both within the UK and outside its borders. However, the inclusion of femicide in Central America when debating violence against women is absent. The UK Parliament has made no recognition of femicide in Central America since an Early Day Motion in 2007.

That is why CAWN has published a public statement asking the UK government to take certain steps towards address femicide and violence against women in Central America and Mexico. We are calling on the UK Parliament to a pass a resolution similar to the EU Resolution of Femicide, which would fund research into the root causes of this phenomenon, and that would ensure that femicide and violence against women are addressed in the human rights clause of the Agreement of Association between the EU and Central America.

If you agree with these demands, please contact your MP to ask him or her to take action. To read and print the Resolution against Femicide in Mexico and Central America click here.

* * * * *

Why Femicide? Why now?

Femicide is the violent murder of women, simply because they are women. This phenomenon occurs throughout the world, and is especially prevelant to the women of Central America. For example, in Guatemala alone between 2001 and 2005 Amnesty International reported that over 2,200 women were reported murdered, while those who commit these cruel hate-filled killings are very rarely held to account by the police or judicial systems. CAWN is organising this series of events on Femicide to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence.

The events in London and Brussels are a valuable opportunity to review the role of the UK in the implementation of the EU guidelines on violence against women and girls and combating all forms of violence against them, passed on 8th of Dec 08.

These events are a time to draw MPs and MEPs attention to the EU resolution passed in 2007 "The murder of women in Central America and Mexico and the European Union's role in preventing this", and to ask them what steps the UK is taking to stop the ever-increasing extreme forms of violence in Central America- femicide.

Governments in the US, Mexico, Guatemala and international institutions have taken steps towards condemning the lack of action taken by Central American governments to end femicide, impunity and hold murderers to account. However, there has been a recognisition and support for the progress that Central American governments have made so far.

While in the UK Parliament an Early Day Motion took place to debate the 'Treatment of Women in Guatemala and Mexico' in May 2007, unfortunately, the UK has not yet taken further steps to address the issue of femicide in Central America.

The struggle to bring both national and international attention and action to this phenomenon continues. Femicides continue increasing at an alarming rate. It is time to take action to stop this violent human rights violation against women and call for justice for the victims and their families.

For further information on this issue see the links below:

EP Resolution against femicide in Central America

US House and Senate Resolutions against femicide in Central America

EU Recommendations to the Council Regarding Guatemala, 2009

emergency situation in Honduras

CAWN is seriously concerned about the political crisis in Honduras in the wake of the military coup d’état of 28 June 2009. In particular, we are concerned about the accusations and actions against the President, Manuel Zelaya, the women's organisations, the safety of the women’s rights activists and the violation of humna rights, the rule of law and the democracy of Honduras.

CAWN supports the work of women’s organisations and 'Feminists in Resistance' in Honduras in denouncing human rights violations and in particular those against women.

For more information, we have developed a full page dedicated to follow this up, please click here.

CAWN actions against the coup in Honduras

Public Meeting: Restore Democracy in Honduras -Committee Against the Coups (14 October 2009)

Forum for Honduras: Conference and Artistic Vigil in Solidarity – Encuentros latinoamericanos(18 October 2009)

Interview 'Eyewitness in Honduras' with Morning Star (2 October 2009)

Article: updates -the situation of human rights of women (15 July, 21 July, 18 August 2009)

Press Release: Women in the Honduran Crisis (10 July 2009)

Interview BBC Radio 4: Women’s Hour (20 July)

Panel Discussion: the 'Crisis in Honduras' at Canning House (24 July)

BOND Latin American and Caribbean Group sent two letters to the UK government requesting to express publicly its condemnation against the coup (24 July)

Joint letter: to the UK government expressing our condemnation of the military coup and the events that followed (3 July)

international news and responses for Honduran women

International Delegation is Spotlighting Honduran Women's Voices
Source: JASS (17 August 2009)
The international delegation is convening a local and virtual Observatorio (Feminist Transformation Watch) from August 17 to 21 in Honduras to shed light on women's rights violations that are occurring under the de facto regime.

The Honduras coup is a sign: the radical tide can be turned
Source: the Guardian (12 August 2009)
If this were Burma or Iran the assault on democracy would be a global cause celebre. Instead, Obama is sitting on his hands.

Apparel brands speak out on Honduran coup
Source: Maquila Solidarity Network (28 July 2009)
Apparel brands with production in Honduras, including Adidas Group, Nike Inc. and GAP Inc., released a joint letter sent to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton "calling for the restoration of democracy in Honduras" following the June 28th military coup.

Honduran Women at Forefront of Resistance to Coup
Source: New America Media (22 July 2009)
Apparel brands with production in Honduras, including Adidas Group, Nike Inc. and GAP Inc., released a joint letter sent to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton "calling for the restoration of democracy in Honduras" following the June 28th military coup.

Urgent Regional Call for Action Demands the Return to Democracy in Honduras: “We Are All Honduras, We Are in Resistance!”
Source: Latin American and Caribbean Women's Health Network (22 July 2009)
LACWHN shares a special solidarity with all Honduran women, with women social leaders, with rural women and women students, workers and professionals, who at great risk to their personal safety and physical integrity continue to steadfastly oppose the destitution of the legitimately elected government.

international community

OAS Resolution on the political crisis in Honduras
Source: OAS News (1 July 2009)
The Organisation of American States (OAS) has adopted a resolution strongly condemning the coup d’etat in Honduras and has set a deadline of 72 hours for the immediate and unconditional return of President Manuel Zelaya and the restoration of democracy and the rule of law.

UN Resolution condemning coup d'État in Honduras
Source: UN News Centre (30 June 2009)
The General Assembly of the United Nations approved a Resolution condemning the coup d'État in Honduras and giving its support to the legitimate Government of the President Zelaya. It makes a call to the nations of the world “to recognize no Government other than that of the Constitutional President Manuel Zelaya” and demands the restoration of President Zelaya in his Office in joint with the constitutional order in Honduras. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed his deep concern over the takeover in Honduras and voiced his strong support for the Central American nation’s democratic institutions.

EU Declaration on the political situation in Honduras
Source: UN News Centre (24 July 2009)
Until a peaceful negotiated solution has been found, the Council of the European Union will continue to restrict contacts at political level with representatives of the de facto government and suspend Member States' bilateral development co-operation with government institutions, other than humanitarian assistance and emergency relief. The EU will also consider further targeted measures.