Today a national forum was held to launch a Project which focuses on the Prevention of Violence against Women, Femicide and Human Trafficking in
Central America. Although there have been improvements opportunities afforded to women, women are still subject to abuse and discrimination in all
forms – from sexual harassment in the streets to lower paying jobs than men in the workplace. But where does change begin? In the kitchen? The
classroom? Or the cabinet room – where, until recently, there wasn't even a ladies bathroom! Those are the questions we asked the CEO of Human
Development at the forum today.
Judith Alpuche - CEO Human Development
"Violence against women is perpetuated because there's a level of acceptance. A level of acceptance of domestic violence and people don't want to talk
about sexual assault, people don't want to talk about rape. People don't want to talk about carnal knowledge when it happens in their community or when
it happens in their family because of the shame etc. It continues on because they are cultural and social factors that are push factors to this
phenomena. They way women are seen. As much as women are more educated etc. That doesn't immunise us from violence even in our intimate partner
relationships. We know domestic violence shows no social class or race or level of education. Women inspective of their backgrounds are, suffer from
domestic violence and it's really the social and cultural factors that push that. We need men to be champions of this issue, to stand with us as women;
Because there are many many good men. As much as there are men who are perpetrators there are many many good men who protect, who see there partner as
their equal who do not perpetrate this kind of violence against the women in society."
Britany Barrow - Youth Enhancement Student
"I think the program is nice because it lets us know as young women that we're worth something in life and that no man have to use us."
The project is a part of SICA's Central America Security Strategy that was launched in 2007.
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