Women challenge the coup-instigated violence
Women challenge the coup-instigated violence
Nov
2013
Saturday 23rd
Assassinations, death threats and kidnappings have marred the run-up to Honduran elections, writes Virginia Lopez Calvo
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Tomorrow's Honduran general election takes place in one of the world's most dangerous countries for human rights defenders, many of them women, as well as journalists.
The Central American Women's Network (CAWN) and our partner the Centre for Women's Studies-Honduras have long campaigned to improve the legal framework and justice system in Honduras. Our joint focus remains to address gender-based violence, to raise social awareness of violence in the community and to strengthen the security and human rights of women.
Last month CAWN's partner joined four other organisations to form the Bureau of Analysis on the Situation of Human Rights in order to monitor violations during the elections. According to the bureau, the main victims of harassment until now have been members or supporters from Libre, a new left-wing pro-democracy party.
It was formed by a coalition of radical politicians, unions and indigenous groups run by former president Manuel Zelaya's wife Xiomara Castro. She proposes a demilitarisation strategy that includes using the armed forces to secure borders against organised crime and drug-trafficking, and creating a community police force to increase safety in the streets and tackle structural violence.
More:
http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-c77d-Women-challenge-the-coup-instigated-violence#.UpEd--rnb_Q