Thank you to the thousands of you who created a butterfly. More that 50,000 butterfly were made worldwide with 17,000 people from the UK taking part.
On the 28 September 2011, thousands of men, women and children marched through the streets of Nicaragua demanding the authorities uphold women’s rights in a country where sexual violence is shockingly widespread and yet abortion is completely criminalised, where they were joined by you butterflies.
We have published two reports on Nicaragua on the extent of sexual violence within the country and on the complete ban on abortion.
Nicaragua’s total ban on abortions is endangering the lives of girls and women, denying them life-saving treatment, preventing health professionals from practicing effective medicine and contributing to an increase in maternal deaths across the country.
At the same time authorities in Nicaragua have done little to combat the massive levels of sexual violence against girls across Nicaragua and negative social attitudes inhibit the survivors from speaking out about their ordeal.
The level of rape and sexual violence against girls in Nicaragua is disturbingly high.
According to official statistics, more than 14,000 cases were reported between 1998 and 2008. Two thirds of the victims were under the age of 17.
These figures are all the more alarming given that in Nicaragua, rape and sexual abuse are under-reported crimes especially if they include acts of incest.
Since the launch of our reports and campaign, four of the five presidential candidates to Nicaragua’s forthcoming Presidential election pledged zero tolerance for violence against women, during a high level mission of Amnesty delegates.
Two of the candidates made immediate public declarations after the meeting with our delegation confirming zero tolerance for violence against women and girls. One candidate even made his own butterfly of hope in solidarity!
We have been working with women’s groups in Nicaragua to lobby for a better response to sexual violence, better access to services and a repeal of the total ban on abortion.
As part of this work, we launched a solidarity action in the lead-up to the march on 28 September, the Day for the Decriminalisation of Abortion in Latin America and the Caribbean. The demonstration was a positive and colourful event attended by women, men and children.
Thousands of butterflies were created by Amnesty supporters and sent over to Nicaragua and many were used on the march and adorn the walls of the women’s centres inspiring those who pass by with the bright colours and hopeful messages.
Argentina Espinoza, director of Ixchen, a network of centres for survivors of sexual and domestic violence, said:
“We thank everyone for all their solidarity which gives us energy to continue our struggle”
This is our global movement at its best, mobilising support from every corner of the world – support that gives strength to those fighting for justice and shows those who deny human rights that the world is watching them.
