In El Salvador and worldwide, people are gearing up for marches and protests on March 8, International Women’s Day. Today, there is a necessary action we can take to speak out against the persecution of one of El Salvador’s most prominent feminist leaders, Lorena Peña.
A long-time leader with the leftist Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN), Lorena and other ex-combatants helped to co-found one of El Salvador’s first feminist organizations, the Mélida Anaya Montes Women’s Movement (Las Mélidas) soon after the signing of the Peace Accords in 1992.
Later, as an FMLN legislator and eventually the President of the El Salvador’s Legislative Assembly, she helped to advance many of the feminist movement’s priorities, from passing the landmark Special Law for a Life Free of Violence to introducing a bill in 2016 to roll back El Salvador’s draconian total ban on abortion.
She is also a long-time friend of CISPES, including as our special guest at our 2007 National Convention.
Today, Lorena is facing an unfair trial at the hands of the Supreme Court on baseless accusations of corruption, the latest in a long line of defamatory attacks by the Salvadoran right wing. Last year, legislators from Bukele’s New Ideas party subjected her to a “misogynistic, violent and abusive” interrogation over public finances during her previous tenure, which she endured with her characteristic sharp wit and courage.
Now that President Bukele has near total control over the judicial system as well, it’s no surprise that he is using the courts to carry on this political crusade against an outspoken woman leader of the opposition.
CISPES is joining feminist organizations in El Salvador and around the world to speak out against this injustice. Will you join us?
If you are part of an organization that can sign on to a solidarity declaration, please click here
To sign the petition as an individual, please click here
Thank you for your solidarity! ¡Que viva la lucha feminista mundial!
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