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As the world marked International Women’s Day, cities across Latin America were bathed in shades of purple with vast crowds of women taking to the streets on Friday. These demonstrations are part of the global commemoration, highlighting a critical juncture of transformation and pressing societal issues within the region, particularly the alarmingly high instances of violence against women.
In nations like Mexico, where a female president may soon be elected for the very first time, the atmosphere is one of celebration. On the other hand, a recent political shift in Argentina, with the emergence of far-right President Javier Milei, has sparked concern over the potential erosion of hard-won women’s rights.
Latin America is a region defined by its contrasts, and the current shifts are a testament to that.
Years of feminist activism have led to significant advancements, like the expansion of access to abortion—a striking contrast to increasing restrictions within the United States. Despite these gains, the region continues to grapple with chilling rates of gender-based violence, including femicides.
On International Women’s Day, demonstrators protest femicide outside the City Council in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Friday, March 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Statistics from the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean indicate that a woman falls victim to gender-related murder every two hours across the continent.
“They’re not seeing the level of respect and treatment that the laws in their countries suggest they should be receiving. This discrepancy leads to frustration,” noted Jennifer Piscopo, a professor of Gender and Politics with extensive experience in Latin American studies at Royal Holloway University of London.
The discrepancy has spurred feminists to vocally criticize the difference between their legal rights and their actual experiences.
In Mexico City, swarms of at least 30,000 demonstrators, possibly marking the most extensive International Women’s Day rally in the nation’s history, flooded the streets. Slogans such as “I want to live, not just survive,” and “Violence ends in scars, ignorance ends in femicides,” echoed throughout.
Lidia Florencio, 55 years old, joined the procession, her shirt emblazoned with an image of her daughter, Diana Velázquez Florencio, who tragically became a murder statistic in 2017.
Florencio, alongside other mothers, demands justice annually through these marches, in a region where impunity runs rampant and resolutions for victims remain elusive.
“Here, there’s no justice,” she lamented. “We’ve taken to the streets in the hope that people realize that the state is failing at providing a life free of violence. We keep falling prey to murder.”
Many hope the upcoming presidential election in Mexico will bring change, with two leading female candidates.
Elsewhere in the region, a massive turnout marked the protests, with a notable presence in Argentina – a vanguard of feminist activism. Here, the disapproval of President Milei’s stance was unequivocal.
Just before the protests, his administration made a symbolic change, with the Hall of Women set to be redubicated. This messaging prompted anxiety within the feminist ranks about future retrogressions.
“It is very important to be here, standing firm defending our rights,” asserted Ivana Cialci, a 33-year-old protester in Buenos Aires. “Here, in Argentina, women’s rights are at stake. We are not going to stop; we will continue to take to the streets.”
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AP journalist Rey contributed from Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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For more on Latin America and the Caribbean, follow AP’s coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america
FAQs about International Women’s Day in Latin America
Q: What is International Women’s Day and why do women march?
A: International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8th every year to acknowledge and promote equality, celebrate women’s achievements, and raise awareness against bias. Women march to advocate for their rights, demand justice for gender-based violence, and push for social and legal reforms.
Q: Why is the color purple associated with International Women’s Day?
A: Purple is historically associated with the women’s movement and symbolizes justice and dignity. It is often worn as a sign of solidarity during International Women’s Day events.
Q: Are the women’s marches showing positive results in Latin America?
A: While immediate changes are not always visible, women’s marches in Latin America have been integral in creating awareness, influencing public policies, and galvanizing support for gender equality and women’s rights over time.
Q: How can people outside Latin America support women’s rights in the region?
A: Supporting local women’s organizations, raising awareness on social media, and engaging in dialogue about the challenges faced by Latin American women are ways to support the cause internationally.
Conclusion
International Women’s Day represents a significant opportunity to underscore the persistent challenges that women face in Latin America and worldwide. As streets across Latin America are adorned in purple and voices raised high, there is hope intertwined with a fierce demand for change. Acknowledging progress and the road ahead, it’s imperative to continue the momentum of such movements for a future where equality and safety aren’t merely aspirations but realities for all women.