Women and human rights in Latin America - Giving a voice to the voiceless

Some search for their missing grandchildren, abducted by the military dictatorship in Argentina. Some physically shield targeted human rights activists with their body. Some try to bring peace to the war-torn fields of Colombia. Some live in Mexico in the most dangerous town in the world - where "even the devil is afraid to go", as the locals say – and speak out against the mass murder of women. All of them started out in hopeless situations, joining others in order to find a voice, gathering strength and attention as they went along. All of them are women, fighting for justice and human rights in Latin America.

Most of the Latin American women’s organizations started off without power, influence or money, simply driven by the urgency to give pain a voice and publicly ask for justice. With immense efforts they managed to get their issues and concerns on the international agenda, even being short-listed on the list for the Nobel Peace Prize . However, their fight for justice continues. We will discuss how they view the role of the media in the struggle for human rights.

This panel will be held in Spanish with translation.

Moderation:
Mirjam Gehrke

Panelists:
Amanda Camilo Ibarra
Coordinator "Movimiento Ruta Pacifica de las Mujeres" Colombia

Estela Barnes de Carlotto
President of the Organization Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo (Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo)

Imelda Marrufo Nava
Lawyer and Human Rights Activist, Red Mesa de Mujeres de Ciudad Juárez, Mexiko

Kerstin Reemtsma
Peace Brigades International Brussels