Introduction and Background

While this project focuses on Guatemala, violence against women is something we (sadly) see all over the globe.

She can be anywhere. She can be anyone. She is standing next to you in line at the grocery store. You may wave to her from across your driveway every morning. Her children go to the same schools as yours. She is one the invisible women who suffer every day.

The following is a brief overview of just one aspect of violence against women in Guatemala and one of the brave souls who's dedicated her life to giving a voice to those who have lost their lives in this horrible struggle.

 Guatemala is one of the most dangerous places in Latin America, especially for women.  The violence against women and girls has risen a great deal in the past ten years
            Women are targeted simply because they are women.  Violence came directly specifically toward women is called femicide.  Femicide is a murder of a woman because of her gender.  Most femicide show signs of serious brutality victims go through torture and mutilation.
            The population in Guatemala is under 14 million.  Within that 14 million, 4300 violent murders of women have been reported from 2000 to 2008.  Organized crime (youth gangs, drug trafficking, mafias or human trafficking) is the cause of most murders.
            Records indicate that 10 percent of women murder victims in Guatemala are killed by a husband or partner, 10 percent by family members or due to a neighborhood feud and 80 percent are victims of organized crime.

On March 4, 2010 Norma Cruz gave a presentation on the current violence and femicide occurring in Guatemala.  She stated that annually there are over 700 murders of women in Guatemala two per day. 
            The perpetrators of the violence against women are the former soldiers from Guatemala’s 36 years of war.  During the war the men were killers and torturers and after the war the men kept that same aggressive behavior.  The narcotrafficers who return from Mexico into Guatemala’s are also contributors to the brutality of women. The biggest threat is the young gang members that control most of Guatemala.  The gangs have initiations rituals that are geared specifically toward women.

Norma Cruz:

Norma Cruz was a student leader and a catholic missionary, a mother, political militant and widow.  She was a daughter of the war; she was able to survive armed violence, and violence within her own family.  When her life partner abused her daughter, she took legal action, these legal action led to his trial and sentence.
            Norma Cruz is a lawyer and co-founder and helps direct an organization Non Governmental Organization (NGO) Survivors Foundation.  Norma is known internationally as an advocate for women who are victims of domestic and sexual violence human trafficking, and illegal adoptions.  Cruz travels across Guatemala to educate women on their rights and how to protect themselves and others against violence.
            Through her foundation, Cruz provides emotional, social, and legal support to hundreds of female victims looking for protection and justice.
            The NGO runs a victim’s shelter.  The shelter is one of a few in the country.
            Because of Norma’s dedication to the Survivors Foundation and in spite of numerous threats of her life, she speaks on behalf of hundreds of victims, generated reforms, and inspired other groups and individuals to inside and outside Guatemala to fight for women’s rights.
            Cruz says “I have fought and I will continue to fight until the last moment.  The right to life is not only the right to breathe, but it is also right to education, health and justice”.

Norma Cruz Award
                        The International Women of Courage Award was instituted in 2007 by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice for women around the globe who have shown exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for women’s rights and advancement.
             On March 11, 2009, Norma Cruz and seven other women were recognized for their extraordinary humananitarian efforts in their countries.  There were over 90 nominations from US Embassies worldwide.
            Along with Norma Cruz the seven other women awarded the 2009 Secretary of State’s International Women of Courage Award are:
•         Ms. Wazhma Frogh (Afghanistan)
•         Ms. Suaad Allami (Irag)
•         Ms. Ambigg Sreenevasan (Malaysia)
•         Ms. Hadizatou Mani (Nigeria)
•         Ms. Veronika Marchenko (Russia)
•         Ms. Mutabar Tadjibayeva ( Uzbekistan)
•         Ms. Reem Al Numery (Yemen)
The award was presented by Secretary of state Hillary Clinton and First Lady Michelle Obama.

Bibliography

News and Notes: American Women for International Understanding, vol. XLVIII no, 53 winter 2010

http://www.america.gov/st/hr-english/2009/March

http://psnews.net/news.asp?idnews=39187

http://www.american.edu/careercenter/calendar/?ied=136407

http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entries/norma_cruz

http://america.gov/st/democracyhr-english/2009/March

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2009/03/120070.htm

http://www.ghrc.usa.org/Programs/ForRighttoLive/2009VawReport-execsum.htm

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http://www.womenshealth.vcu.edu/outreach/community/events.html

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http://www.ccd21.org/news/americas/quatemala_cruz_human_rights.html

http://word.world-citizen.org/wp-archive/841