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Today’s Prense Libre painted a bleak picture of the status of Human Rights in Guatemala. A study was conducted first in 2001 and again this past year to investigate the state of affairs for women in this country. The study, conducted by the European Union, The Myrna Mack Foudation, The Mayan Defense, and The Center for Human Rights Legal Action shows the situation is not improving and is in many cases worsening in Guatemala.
The reason I post these here are to help paint a picture for you of life in Guatemala that might be somewhat different than you might find in Zona Viva on a three day trip. It is important to remember that this is the life many of the birth mothers are facing on a daily basis. Foster mothers, officials, hotel workers, and others go home to a country that is in considerable turmoil.
That being said, take a look at the statistics that were posted
Violent deaths of women
665 women were murdered in 2005.
Less than 10% of these cases have been solved.
53% of the women died with ages between 11 and 10 years.
From 2001-2005: violence increased against women 56%.
It only rose 36% against men.
Sexual violence
The sexual abuse third place in denunciations (38%).
In the capital: More than two thousand children and adolescents between 8 and 18 years they are exploded sexually.
There is more than 600 night brothels and 200 centers where prostitution is exerted.
71% of women sexual workers are illiterate or with minimum studies.
Political positions of the women
In the capital and departments:
19% hold positions in the three powers of the State.
Executive: in 8 of 63 ministries, vice presidential ministries, secretariats and chiefs of a main directorate.
Legislative: 15 of 158 delegates.
Judicial: 221 of 794 judges.
Of Development Advisors, only 20 % of the positions are occupied by women.
Economic rights?
95% of domestic work are assumed by women and there is no economic valuation.
Workers of assemble and particular house.
They do not have labor contract, they undergo harassment sexual and labor operation, they lack labor benefits, they are discriminated, his days can be of 17 hours daily, do not receive the minimum wage.
15 % never have received no benefit.
83% have not had days off or holidays.
Only 1% received retirement.
Health: alarming
For each 100 females born alive, 153 are born dead
By the time they reach 15 years old, 6.1% have been pregnant and the 2.6% are mothers.
68.9% of adolescents between 15 and 19 years do not know contraceptive methods.
19% are indigenous adolescent mothers.
