Feminism | #MeToo:
It is 2019 and gender inequality is still an issue. Movements to end GFM to sexual harassment and more have become rampant throughout the years. I, along with many females, have witnessed the various movements around the world to tackle the gender inequality issue. Movements such as #NiUnaMenos, #Metoo, and more are actively raising awareness to the many issues affecting females around the world.
Being a LIU Global student in Costa Rica, I have read about the #NiUnaMenos movement that has been affecting Latin America. Ni Una Menos is a movement supporting women throughout the Latin American region. “Not one less” is what it translates to, representing the immediate need to talk about the cause of the reason the movement started, which is femicide. Femicide has been a growing issue, especially in Argentina where the movement started. The movement started in 2015 and became more active after the cases of Chiara Paez and Lucia Perez. These two cases were the result of femicide and resulted in outrage amongst Argentina and the international world. The women of Argentina have sacrificed their time and lives to speak out for their rights and fight against the machismo culture. After the murders of Chiara Paez and Lucia Perez, the issue to raise awareness to femicide rose more than ever. The movement organized a march of over 200,000 people in Buenos Aires, Argentina on June 3rd, 2015, which attracted international attention. Chiara Paez and Lucia Perez were both victims of femicide. Chiara Paez, who was three months pregnant, was murdered by her boyfriend. Her boyfriend beat her to death and placed her body in a well near his home. He has been sentenced to 21 years in prison. Lucia Perez was drugged, raped, impaled, and murdered by two men. The men have been sentenced to prison as well. Unfortunately, these two cases are only two stories out of thousands in Argentina. These two cases represent the extreme violence projected towards the women in this region. This relates to gender inequality in Argentina. Women are constantly catcalled, abused, or/and harassed in Argentina due to most men thinking it is okay to act this way. This thinking has caused the rise in femicide, the act of killing a woman simply because of her gender. Unfortunately, femicide does not only exist in Argentina. It has spread to other Latin American countries and other regions around the world.
Costa Rica is also currently going through the #MeToo movement. Former President of Costa Rica and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Oscar Arias, has been accused by five women of sexual assault. The women have said that they have decided to speak out now in light of #MeToo movement making it a bit easier, whereas, in the past, it wasn’t the norm to speak out. Unfortunately, there have been legal challenges in accusing Oscar Arias. One of the women is the former Miss Costa Rica. She was turned down by several lawyers who refused to take her case. She decided to go ahead and file the case with the help of her half-sister. The machismo in Latin America has also been a barrier. The power held by most men, including Oscar, is aiding the accused and not the accusers. The case is still going on as Costa Rica waits to see what the fate of Oscar Arias will be.
The #MeToo movement has also spread to other regions of the world, including South Asia. More sexual harassment/rape cases are being reported. The topic of rape is considered taboo in Pakistani society, but ever since the movement began, it has opened up a new space for women and men to talk about this serious issue. The media has highlighted this important problem, and it is allowing more individuals to come forward and speak. Meesha Shafi, a prominent Pakistani singer, accused a Pakistani actor of sexual harassment. Shafi was supported by her fans and human rights activists yet accused of lying by many people, including people in the music/film industry. Unfortunately, her case was dropped in court and the accused is still free.
As a survivor of sexual assault, it is critically important to be patient and listen to the victims. Their voices are crucial in shaping this world into a more accepting environment. I have been sexually assaulted more than once, and by different people. When I spoke up, I was shut down by some people. I remember feeling that what happened to me was okay, but it wasn’t. I learned to ignore the voices that were trying to drown mine. I learned that it wasn’t okay. My body is mine, and nobody else’s. It doesn’t belong to no man or woman, the only person it belongs to is me. I am in control of my own body and nobody else has a say.
More than ever, feminism is strongly needed. Women around the world need to raise their voices for the better. We need to protect each other, instead of ignoring one another. We need to learn to listen patiently and be sympathetic. With more support and love, we can help create and support a positive environment where everyone can feel comfortable and accepted.
