Radio Mundo Real

As part of the Continental Assembly of CLOC-Via Campesina, a panel with representatives of allied organizations was held on Friday, 19 October at the Palace of Culture in the Nicaraguan capital, Managua. The World March of Women, Friends of the Earth International, Vets Without Borders and the Biodiversity Network read their analysis of the current situation and of their long-term plans.

Rosa Guillen, Guatemalan member of the World March of Women talked about the joint effort in this feminist coordination with La Via Campesina and many other networks against the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) in the early 2000s.

“We defeated the FTAA, but we have not been able to defeat free trade agreements”, said Rosa with regards to the Partnership Agreements promoted by the European Union in different Latin American countries.

Rosa Guillen talked about the importance of the recognition of women’s rights in the struggle of countryside organizations, a place where they have always been undermined and exploited in the agriculture tasks and in their own families by being restricted to their family production and reproduction roles.

“Small scale farming is the place for women to be present. That is why the alliance with rural organizations is important. Even though it looks natural it is the result of the efforts made by men and women in the countryside and the cities”, said Rosa.

The first Assembly of CLOC has ratified and has been promoting the campaign in rejection to violence against women in the rural areas for several years. Rosa highlighted institutional violence and the criminalization of the social protest as two key elements.

Guillen said violence is grounded on a prejudice against women, because they are objectified and identified with spoils.