Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy
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Raising awareness about violence against women in Guatemala
On April 12, 2007 in Guatemala City, NIMD, Radio Netherlands (RNW) and Oxfam Novib organized the conference 'Women in Guatemala, between violence and impunity'
The main objective of the conference was to raise awareness among politicians and government officials about the issue of violence against women in Guatemala and to find ways of doing something about.
The causes of violence against women were analyzed as well as the responsibility of the media as agents of change in society. It was highlighted that it is the necessary to address the issue in a concerted approach involving politicians, the government and civil society organizations.
Approximately 200 persons participated in the meeting, including representatives from women organizations, international NGOs, human rights organizations, the media, ministers and politicians from all political parties represented in the Guatemalan Congress.
The conference was opened by Ms Wendy de Berger, wife of the current president of Guatemala. Other speakers included Mr Wim Jansen, Deputy Director of RNW; Mr de Raül Romeva, Member of the European Parliament, Vice-president of the Commission of Women Rights and Equality of Opportunities, and Vice-president of the Delegation of the European Union for Central America; Ms Nineth Montenegro, Member of the Guatemalan Congress and President of the Commission of Women; and Ms. Marielos Monzón, Journalist and Political Analist.
The conference further featured a role play of the theatre group 'Iqui Balam' about violence against women. The members of this group are young people who live in a marginal and violent areas in Guatemala. They formed the group with the objective to provide young people an opportunity to develop their cultural and artistic abilities, preventin them from involvement in violent or criminal activities.
The conference concluded with a panel discussion moderated by Anna Karina Rosales and Juan Carlos Roque from Radio Netherlands and closing statements by Ms Bea M. ten Tusscher, Ambassador of the Netherlands in Guatemala and Ms. Doris Cruz, NIMD's Representative in Guatemala. The whole event was recorded by NIMD Guatemala and RNW.
