Please pass this on. --E.M. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ >> TO: International Organizations and Individuals in >> solidarity with Nicaragua >> FROM: Grupo Venancia >> Matagalpa, Nicaragua >> email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> DATE: 21 April 1997 >> SUBJECT: URGENT CALL FOR ACTION >> >> ------------------------------------------------------------- >> >> Dear Friends; >> >> We write to you as an URGENT CALL to demonstrate your >> solidarity with the Women's Movement in Nicaragua in defense >> of women's rights. >> >> -----------------------BACKGROUND---------------------------- >> >> Women in Nicaragua have fought long and hard to establish and >> defend their rights. The autonomous women's movement, made up >> of various individuals and non-government organizations, has >> been on the forefront of this struggle, creating awareness of >> the discrimination against women and fighting for the creation >> of laws to protect women against such discrimination. >> >> !!!!!!!!!!!NOW THESE RIGHTS ARE BEING ATTACKED!!!!!!!!!!! >> >> On the 24 of February 1997, the new president of Nicaragua, >> Dr. Arnoldo Aleman, presented his proposal for the creation of >> a new ministry, the Ministry of the Family. Not only do the >> contents of the proposal break various laws, constitutional >> rights and international agreements signed by Nicaragua, but >> in his overzealous campaign to pass the law: >> >> 1. Aleman has abused constitutional laws. The creation of a >> new ministry abides within the power of the legislative branch >> and not the executive. >> >> 2. By abusing the "urgent character clause", Aleman has >> bypassed the normal process of debate and consultation with >> the effected sectors, mainly women and children's >> organizations. >> >> The proposed Ministry of the Family: >> >> 1. Imposes the nuclear family (father, mother, children) as >> the only family model recognized by Nicaraguan law: >> >> *****This discriminates against the 53.3% of Nicaraguan >> >> >> families which make up the 6 other family models >> identified in Nicaragua by a recent national study.***** >> >> 2. Declares procreation the "mission" of the couple. >> >> *****This eliminates women's sexual and reproductive rights, >> including family planning.***** >> >> 3. Declares anything that threatens the unity of the nuclear >> family a "menace" and "act of aggression". >> >> *****This implies that any individual or organization that >> educates and defends women's and children's rights to >> live with violence (ie. family violence) would be seen >> >> as >> a "menace" and "act of aggression".***** >> >> *****This violates Article 16 of the International Convention >> and Law 230 which defend women and children's right to >> live without discrimination and violence.***** >> >> 4. States that there are "natural" psychological differences >> between men and women. >> >> *****This could be used to justify rape and family violence in >> the case where the man 'can' help it' and the women >> 'shouldn't have provoked him'.***** >> >> 5. Declares one of its missions as the "promotion" of >> marriage. >> >> *****This discriminates against unwed couples, homosexual >> couples and all children born out of wedlock.***** >> >> *****This violates Article 72 of the Constitution which >> equally recognizes both marriage and common-law marriage >> and acknowledges that the decision rests within the >> voluntary agreement between a man and a woman.***** >> >> 6. Describes its role as governor and coordinator of all >> non-government organizations dealing with women and children. >> >> *****This clearly violates the right of non-governmental >> organizations to remain autonomous.***** >> >> ----------------------------ACTION--------------------------- >> >> On the 29th of April 1997, the National Assembly will vote on >> the Ministry of the Family. The women's movement in Nicaragua >> has called a march to the National Assembly on the same day. >> >> If the Ministry of the Family becomes a reality, women and >> children's rights in this country will be hugely violated. >> >> !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!WE CAN"T LET THIS HAPPEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! >> >> Please join our struggle and show us your solidarity by >> denouncing the creation of the Ministry of the Family by >> writing your government and ours. >> >> Please send your faxes before April 29th 1997. >> >> Fax to: >> 1- Presidente de la Asemblea Nacional >> Fax No. 505-228-3039 >> >> 2- Cooperacion Externa >> Fax No. 505-228-1279 >> >> Also, if possible, please send us a copy at: >> >> Grupo Venancia:Fax No. 505-612-2963 >> e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> >> Thank you for your support. >> >> ------------------------------------------------------------- >> Grupo Venancia is a non-profit, non-governmental, feminist >> collective working in popular education in central and >> northern Nicaragua. Our focus is on gender, sexual education, >> health, domestic violence and the support and organization of >> women's groups. >> -------------------------------------------------------------- >> end of message >> >> >> >> > > Stephen L. Fisher P.O. Box BBB Emory, VA 24327 540\944-6182 w 944-3697 h FAX 540\944-6934 E-Mail [EMAIL PROTECTED]
