By: Emily Green
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – This year, women are launching an anti-harassment campaign during Brazil’s famous Carnival. They are using street parties as a forum to speak out against sexual harassment and assaults.

Sexual assaults have been especially problematic during the five-day long festival in Brazil. The Secretariat of Policies for Women reported that last year, the number of sexual assault complaints during Carnival increased by 90% compared to the number in 2016.  The secretariat explained this jump as the result of government campaigns to stop this type of violence. Victims are instructed to report crimes to a number which will register their complaint.

In total, the feminist group Think Olga reports that 99.6% of women in Brazil have been catcalled. Another private group on public security reports that one woman in South America is raped every 11 minutes, but only 10% report their assaults. One 29-year-old artist commented on the issue saying, “Some men have this feeling that they can do whatever to your body, it’s time for women to take advantage of this moment to push back.”

Thousands of women have responded during the Carnival celebrations. They organize block parties of all-female musicians, shirts, necklaces and crowns. They use messages such as “my breasts, my rules” and promote campaigns that report and crackdown on harassment. One woman, Debora Thome, organized a block party in 2015 called “Mulheres Rodadas,” or “Women Who Get Around.” She has been vocal in the movement and sees Carnival as a good opportunity to fight harassment because it forces the question of respect amid scantily dressed partygoers. She says, “A woman can be naked in the street and nobody should be allowed to touch her.”

Since then, several other feminist-themed block parties have been formed for the festival. One recent party included hundreds of women dressed up as animals they said they had been called on the streets. Costumes included animals such as cows, piranhas, hens, and cobras.  One of the few dozen men at the party, Anderson Semme, said, “Men’s role is to recognize we were wrong for a long time and now do the right thing.”

The campaign has picked up the slogan of “No Means No.” Hundreds of women are planning to get the words temporarily tattooed for their Carnival costumes. While the campaign encourages the support of men, it stresses that it is something created by women and for women. The founders’ goal is to create a sense of security for women who want to attend block parties. Aisha Jacob, who was assaulted during Carnival last year, has been heavily involved in the campaign.  She says the tattoos are a symbol of solidarity and support for women. “If they need to ask for help, they know who they can reach out to. They know they’re not alone.”

During last year’s Carnival, Brazil’s military police received 2,154 calls about violence against women. That figure means that one woman was assaulted every few minutes. Security officials and several non-governmental groups have begun their own campaigns against harassment.

For more information, please see:

NY Times – Rio Carnival Kicks Off With Samba, Blocos and Not to #MeToo – 10 February 2018

The Guardian – Brazilians turn to carnival as an escape from crime and corruption – 10 February 2018

Herald Tribune – No Means No: Women Say Enough to Sexual Harassment at Brazil’s Carnival – 10 February 2018

Los Angeles Times – Women in Brazil launch ‘No Means No’ anti-harassment Campaign during Carnival – 9 February 2018

Washington Post – Women at Brazil Carnival push back against harassment – 7 February 2018

By: Emily Green
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

CUCUTA, Colombia – Colombia’s government has opened its first shelter for Venezuelan refugees. As the economic crisis in Venezuela continues to spiral out of control, refugees pour across the border in search of help.

Colombia built this shelter to curb the growing number of homeless Venezuelans. The facility, administered by the Red Cross, opened on Saturday, February 3, near the border city of Cucuta. It is expected to provide up to 48 hours of shelter for 120 people each day. It is designated as a temporary shelter meant for refugees who have a destination elsewhere, but need a place to stay while traveling. Priority will be given to pregnant mothers, the elderly, and minors who entered the country legally.

Local authorities stress that the shelter is only meant for those who entered the country legally and will be moving on to other locations. Mayor Pepe Ruiz said, “This is not going to be a shelter where we are going to house all the people that are in the street.” He added, “This a center of attention for people who are en route, who rest there while they get transport. I don’t agree that they should stick around there, or this will become a big mess.”

As one of the main crossing points for Venezuelans, the city of Cucuta has been under severe stress. The mass migration comes in such large waves that many are left sleeping on the streets. Hundreds of people are stranded and starving, and crime has increased as gangs recruit and take advantage of the migrants’ desperation.

Approximately 35,000 Venezuelans cross into Colombia each day. Many of them settle with relatives while others come to acquire the food or medicine they lack back home. In an effort to regulate the flow of migrants, immigration authorities have begun arresting and deporting those that entered illegally. Just last week, 130 Venezuelans who were sleeping on outdoor basketball courts were deported. Colombian Foreign Minister Maria Angela Holguin told reporters, “We are being as generous as possible with the Venezuelans’ situation, but there must be order.”

The United Nations has offered to assist local authorities with the overwhelming amounts of refugees. However, some worry that the creation of UN camps would encourage even more people to flee. Colombia’s inspector general, General Fernando Carrillo, admitted that they had been negligent in their emergency preparation. He explained, “We haven’t been strategic. We have been negligent in the control of the border because there have been many isolated efforts, but no integrated approach to the problem.”

While the number of migrants continues to grow, other countries such as the United States and Brazil are considering sending aid to Colombia.

For more information, please see:

Colombia Reports – How Venezuela’s crisis became another humanitarian emergency in Colombia – 7 February 2018

Bloomberg – As Venezuelans Flee, Refugee Camp Springs Up Across Border – 5 February 2018

Latina – Colombia Opens First Shelter for Venezuela Refugees – 5 February 2018

Colombia Opens Border Shelter for Venezuelans Fleeing Crisis – 3 February 2018