(ANS - San Benito Petén) - On 8 March we celebrate International Women's Day, a date that every year reminds us that there is still much to be done to guarantee the rights of women in many parts of the world. Fr Giampiero De Nardi, a Salesian missionary in San Benito Petén, speaks of the status of women in Guatemala and the Salesian commitment to improve their condition.

Guatemalan society is deeply male-dominated. Women are less likely to study, because they prefer to send the male children to study. Women have less chance of getting a social position: reduced job opportunities, lower wages for equal work, excessive hours, no work during the period of child-bearing and breastfeeding ... and the situation is worse for indigenous women in rural areas.

In 2015, the Public Ministry has registered 54 thousand complaints of physical, psychological and sexual violence against women. 12 thousand are complaints of sexual crimes against women aged between 13 and 17. The majority of crimes are not reported and remain unpunished.

The Salesians of San Benito Petén have been working for years for the promotion of women. This year, for the third year running we have organized a march to promote awareness of the situation of women. The men and women of our parish walk through the streets of the town. The municipality has followed our example and has also organized a march. There is an increase every year in the number of people participating. More and more men have come to realize that it is not a question of opposition between men and women, but of being united in building a more just society which we Christians call the Kingdom of God.

In these three years we have achieved good results: many women have become emancipated and are now able to open their own businesses, to put into practice what they have learned in courses and to educate their children in the family. Our pastoral care for the promotion of women helps them to study or to learn a trade and supports them psychologically, helping them to regain the self-esteem that violence had unjustly deprived them of.

Today 8 March, we celebrate the strength and perseverance of many women who have learned through their tireless struggle to capitalize on their talents and put them at the service of society. With their enthusiasm they are transforming the history of their country.

Published 08/03/2016