Beginning last June, dozens of protests were organized in Argentina all under the same hashtag, #NiunaMenos, demanding an end to gender violence and the implementation of comprehensive anti-gender violence legislation. Thousands of women came together in protest after 14-year-old Chiara Paez was found dead after being brutally buried alive by her boyfriend and his mother.
For women in Argentina this was the straw that broke the camel’s back – it seemed like every week a new femicide was reported, and the authorities were not doing anything. The thousands of women who marched all over Argentina were marching not only for Chiara but for all women and their right to exist without fear or threat.
Women in Mexico, Uruguay, and Chile stood up both in solidarity with their Argentinian sisters and also in an act of protest against gender violence in their own states. For them femicides were also an all too familiar thing – 7 out of 10 of the countries with the highest female murder rate are in Latin America.
The struggle spreads
For the women protesting, #niunamenos wasn’t simply the trending hashtag of the moment; it was the beginning of something big that surpassed any expectations of that June afternoon. #Niunamenos continue to spread like wildfire throughout Latin America. Women in Mexico organized protests against the many forms of gender violence: street harassment, domestic abuse, rape and femicides. Women in Brazil and Argentina marched at rallies held simultaneously.
In Brazil the horrific gang rape of a young girl by thirty men, its appalling display on social media and the failure to respond by authorities prompted the outpour of women into the streets. In Argentina, women were continuing the work they began that previous June and demanded that authorities take action against gender violence.
In August women in Peru continued in this legacy and protested against the lack of protection for women and the lack of action on the government’s behalf. Just weeks ago in Argentina women took to the streets after a new femicide garnered media attention. This time the outpour was massive as women and men held slogans and chanted in solidarity – simultaneously mourning another death and clamoring for justice.
The movement continues
The number of people who stepped out of their houses this month under the hashtag #niunamenos shows that a movement is still brewing. A horrific tragedy brought women together in struggle. While it may seem that only horrific tragedies bring an outpour of people into the streets, it cannot be ignored that with each protest, each rally, each march and each time people hear or see #niunamenos they are becoming more aware that gender violence must stop and those in power feel the heat for their criminal lack of action. It is inspiring to see women from all over Latin America rise despite the tragedy.
The people of Latin America are determined to continue the work that has been started, to continue marching and protesting in unity for the rights of all women and truly become a powerful force to be reckoned with. There is hope that #niunamenos becomes the spark that is needed to reignite a movement that seeks not only to make Latin American better for women, but for people of all genders. The struggle can grow to denounce machismo as well as capitalism and actively work to bring about the end of both.
