JASS Annual Report 2012
Check out JASS' 2012 Annual Report! We hope the stories in this report do justice to the profound yet immeasurable work of JASS’ community.
Amidst Violence, Women Organize for Protection
The work of women human rights defenders is essential to achieving democracy and peace, especially in violent contexts, and supporting their protection and wellbeing is vital. In Mexico and Central America, women defenders are organizing themselves amidst alarming violence against women and activists.
Now that I´m Sixty-Five…
On January 26, 2013, I turned 65. Instead of getting depressed because I´m now officially a senior citizen or worse still, an “elderly” woman, I decided to celebrate this journey which has been my life by reminding us that my generation,…
Now that I´m Sixty-Five: celebrating HERstory
Translated from Spanish by Kiona Medina. On January 26, 2013, I turned 65. Instead of getting depressed because I´m now officially a senior citizen or worse still, an “elderly” woman, I decided to celebrate this journey which has been my…
Striking Down Violence in Mesoamerica
This year’s International Women’s Day sought to publicize the rampant problem of violence against women. While every country is fraught with different forms and levels of violence against women, it is clear that in times of instability, women pay the highest price. This is precisely the case in Mesoamerica.
Mexican Activists Advance Rights Despite Threats
“Violence against women is being used as a means of social control; we’re seeing an increase not only in the number of incidents, but also in the cruelty and brutality with which it’s carried out," says Marusia Lopez, JASS Mesoamerica Director.
Step by Step: Honduran Feminists March for People’s Sovereignty
When life can only be half-lived, it’s hard to keep hope.When soldiers, churches, governments, death, crime and fear all conspire to choke off life like the heavy blow of the midday sun or a forest fire that consumes green trees,…
16 Days of Activism: JASS Mesoamerica Denounces Violence
Violence against women has a fundamental way of upholding inequality. Women’s movements have made the struggle to end violence a main priority and as a result, they are frequently attacked and harassed by powerful groups that benefit from the oppression of women. JASS Mesoamerica joins the global 16 days of activism against gender violence campaign, spotlighting the violence suffered by women human rights defenders in Mexico and Central America fueled by militarization and authoritarian practices that limit women's rights.
Guatemala: They attack us because we don’t back down
On the heels of the massacre of 7 k’iche and kaqchikel indigenous activists in Totonicapán, Guatemala during peaceful protests on October 4th, Guatemala’s government continues to deny responsibility and fails to reign in transnational mining companies whose illegal land grabs displace communities.…
