The number of violent acts against Guatemalan women being murdered continues to increase.Complaint figures of violence against women are growing every year in the country's courts. In the first months of 2012, there were 6, 339 complaints of such offenses under the Femicide Act. In 2011, 4,000 women attended 879 care centers for support due to mistreatment including girls under the age of 15 years old. As demand for these services continue to increase; care spaces for these victims are diminishing. These figures make Guatemala one of the most violent, unsafe places for girls and women in the world. The organization Mujeres Abriendo Caminos/Women Opening Paths is working at breaking the silence on these atrocities and bringing justice to the survivors. The Guatemalan authorities have failed to investigate these cases thoroughly; so that order and justice is enforced upon those responsible. Thus the impunity continues and the victims do not receive the justice they are entitled.
This lack of enforcementgives the attackers reason to continue their brutal acts due to lack of accountability. Therefore the society becomes indifferent toward such abuses; reinforcing a culture that supports violence against girls and women, as "normal". MAC ( Mujeres Abriendo Caminos / Women Opening Paths ) calls for justice ; for the victims and their families. As well as,seeks national and international attention toward the killings and other forms of violence against women in order to exert more pressure on the government of Guatemala. The organization has launched public campaigns to break the taboos surrounding this scourge; to end impunity and restore confidence among the Guatemalan population. With more women's participation in social organizations and facilitating their access toward education, health, justice and labor; MAC hopes to contribute to the change in the Guatemalan society and to eradicate violence against women. Since most crimes are not investigated oronly classified as "stab wounds"and not as gender-based violence. Knowing the real extent of the phenomena is impeded .This makes it virtually impossible for the law to be enforced. MAC supports the efforts of other Guatemalan organizations in monitoring the murders and the pattern in which they occur. Most murders occur in cities where organized crime and gangs have taken over the streets. Gender violence is used to show which group has more power. Gangs try to gain the respect of rivals when their crimes remain unpunished via these violent acts. Each murder leaves a lasting impression in our Guatemalan society. Please sign the petition and be part of this campaign. “NO to Violence Against Women in Guatemala”.
