On the frontline of the Honduras resistance movement

[struggle4progress]

http://www.guardianweekly.co.uk.nyud.net:8090/images/articles/1384.jpg

... The women’s movement in Latin America is very well organised so when President Zelaya was overthrown, women’s groups were immediately able to mobilise and start protesting. Under the coalition Feminists in Resistance, women were the first sector in society to spring into action, using their contacts in the international community to draw attention to what was happening and thinking of strategies for the resistance. Unlike the traditional trade union movement, the women’s movement is still relatively new and dynamic. I think they were at the forefront of the resistance to the coup because they are still struggling for recognition in society and have the most to lose when democracy is threatened ...

During my trip, I managed to interview many women about their experiences since the coup started. As women were on the frontline at demonstrations, they were the first to clash with the soldiers patrolling the streets. I spoke to many women who were subjected to sexual violence by soldiers and police. Sexual insults like ‘bitch’ and ‘prostitute’ were very common.

Some women were hit on their breasts with truncheons and others had itching powder put up their skirts. I also heard reports of police putting their truncheons between women’s legs. One woman was even raped by four soldiers on the border with Nicaragua and told that it was a punishment for getting involved in matters that didn’t concern her. This sexual aggression, used as a weapon to undermine the women’s resistance, shows a clear link between political violence and gender violence.

One of Honduras’ greatest achievements in women’s rights has been the founding of INAM, The National Institute for Women. But the ousting of President Zelaya has placed INAM under threat. Zelaya’s Women’s Minister Selma Estrada had to abandon her post and go into hiding after threats were made against her life. She has since been replaced by Maria Martha Diaz who is a member of Opus Dei, an organisation that has faced criticisms for alleged misogyny and an alleged right-wing political agenda. Sadly, Diaz has said that she plans to transform INAM into an organisation to protect families in general, threatening to roll back years of progress in the women’s movement. She also plans to halt President Zelaya’s progress on sexual and reproductive rights for women. This would have meant women having access to contraception, the morning-after pill and in some cases abortion ...

http://www.guardianweekly.co.uk/?page=editorial&id=1384&catID=9