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Women, Peace and Security Initiatives: Guatemala
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International

Protect Women and Girls Fleeing Violence and Persecution
Amnesty International
Rodi Alvarado Pe is a Guatemalan woman who was brutally abused by her husband, and could get no protection from the Guatemalan authorities, for more than a decade. She fled Guatemala for the United States and was granted asylum, only to find her asylum in jeopardy again. Urge Attorney General Ashcroft to grant Rodi Alvarado asylum immediately, and to preserve the opportunity for a small number of other abused women and girls to be granted asylum in the United States. Send a letter to General Ashcroft and President Bush in protest of these atrocities at Amnesty International’s Online Action Center.

Speak Out for the 15-Year-Old Daughter of Trade Union Activists in Guatemala
Amnesty International
The 15-year-old daughter of trade unionists has been raped by men allegedly linked to the management of the plantation where they work. The rape is believed to be part of management intimidation of union activists pursuing legal action against the plantation: in March this year the plantation manager allegedly offered a reward to any of the plantation's private security guards who raped a female associated with the union. Amnesty International believes the family and all union members are in grave danger. Send a letter to the Ambassador of Guatemala at Amnesty International’s Online Action Center.

Defend Environmental Activist ELOÍDA MEJÍA SAMAYOA Against Recent Death Threat
May, 2004
Eloída Mejía Samayoa is the President and Legal Representative of Asociación Amigos del Lago Izabal, Friends of Izabal's Lake Association, a Guatemalan organization which opposes the reactivation of mining activities in Izabal Department. On February 18, Samayoa's life was threatened because of her opposition to mining. Her landlord also told her that her home would be burned down if she continued her work. During a meeting held by Asociación Amigos del Lago Izabal to inform locals about the impact of mining, unknown individuals publicly threatened Eloída Mejía Samayoa by saying, "que cayera su cabeza", "her head will fall".
Call on the Guatemalan Human Rights Attorney to investigate threats made against Eloída Mejía Samayoa. Click here to ACT NOW.

Help Refugees of Gender Persecution
February, 2004
Click Here for Update on Asslyum for Rodi Alvarado.Your action is needed immediately to help protect Rodi Alvarado and other women fleeing gender persecution. Nearly a year ago, Attorney General John Ashcroft said that he would personally decide the asylum case of Rodi Alvarado, a Guatemalan woman whose government failed to protect her during ten years of horrific abuse by her husband. When deciding that case, Ashcroft also planned to issue regulations that could bar many people, especially women fleeing gender-based persecution, from asylum in the United States. Fearing that the Attorney General would deny Ms. Alvarado asylum and issue restrictive regulations, Amnesty campaigned to prevent such a decision. There has been no decision so far, but now it seems imminent. For more information on Rodi Alvarado Click Here or to Write to Attorney General Ashcroft asking him not to revoke Rodi Alvarado's asylum grant.

Stop Sex Discrimination in Guatemalan Maquilas
2003
Maquilas in Guatemala discriminate against women on the basis of their reproductive status. US clothing manufacturers and food companies contract with Guatemalan Maquilas. In job interviews women are asked about their pregnancy status, sexual activity, and use of birth control. Some are compelled to prove they are not pregnant before they can be hired. Those who become pregnant once they have been hired are sometimes fired, and often are denied access to their full legal maternity benefits, including access to prenatal health care. This discrimination violates not only the the Guatemalan and US law but also international human rights norms. Human Rights Watch calls individuals to write to the US Secretary of State, US Department of Labor and parlamentarians urging them to address the issue correspondingly. To sign-up the letters click here. For more information visit Human Rights Watch.

Helping Hands Campaign
2001
For the second year in a row, MADRE calls individuals world-wide to collect eyeglas ses, spanish-language books and health supplies for the women and children of Guatemala. In Guatemala, maquilas (sweatshops) reap millions for international corporations while endangering the health of the women who work in them.The campaign intends to provide material necessities for women so they can support their families and comunities and challenge the structures that deny them their basic rights. Click here for the press release. For more information visit MADRE.