Guatemalan Groups Condemn Deterioration in Women's Rights

Women’s rights experienced a significant decline under the administration of President Otto Perez Molina (2012-2015), said a group of 60 Guatemalan women’s organizations this Saturday.

The militarization of the state is the main factor behind the criminalization of gender activists, said Linleyd Tillit, a member of the Alas de Mariposas women's association and a leader of the women's federation, the November 25th Coordinator, under which the Guatemalan groups are organized.

Tillit spoke at a press conference held by the November 25th Coordinator, ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, on Nov. 25.

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According to Tillit, impunity increased significantly under Perez Molina in cases related to gender violence. Perez Molina was forced to step down in early September, when judicial authorities stripped him from his immunity under accusations of corruption.

“The government removed various agreements we had reached on prevention of gender violence, and deliberately weakened the institutions supporting indigenous women,” including Mayan, Garifuna, Xinca, and mestiza women, said Tillit.

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“State institutions frequently violate human rights, and we are talking about a deterioration (of these rights) because they have not been recognized.There are abuses of power, and negligence on their part,” added Martha Goding, a leader in the women’s group Sector Mujeres.

The Coordinator will be organizing a demonstration in front of the office of the Public Prosecuto ron Thursday, as a tribute to the victims of femicide in Guatemala.

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