Télam’s gender editor Silvina Molina and 27 other communicators were recognized by the human rights organization Amnesty International “for their contribution to the fight for legal, safe and free abortion, in a context of speeches that incite violence, especially in social networks”.
The recognition took place within the framework of the “Green Hearts” edition of the “Voces que trasforman” event organized by this NGO at Malba, hosted by actress and television host Florencia de la V.
During this activity, the decades-long struggle for the sanction of Law 27,610 on legal abortion in Argentina was highlighted, almost two years after this historic claim was won. Likewise, the importance of continuing to educate was underlined in order to overcome the difficulties that many women and pregnant people encounter in exercising their right.
? Some of the journalists recognized at the ceremony #VoicesThatTransformGreen Hearts edition.
? @lucianapeker
? @juliamengo
? @candelariabotto
? @soyingridbeck? Follow her live: https://t.co/13HjkIeX7u pic.twitter.com/H6xOr5zec1
– Amnesty International Argentina (@amnistiaar) October 18, 2022
“The first time I felt that my voice was transforming injustices was with the Equal Marriage law. Then it continued with the Gender Identity Law. With the Legal Abortion law, something personal happened to me: if this law had existed, my life would have been different, “said Florencia de la V in memory of her mother, who died of a clandestine abortion.
“Since Argentine society advanced in the recognition of women’s rights and diversities, journalists, communicators, influencers and women of culture have experienced permanent harassment that has intensified after the decriminalization and legalization of abortion”, assured Mariela Belski, executive director of Amnesty International Argentina.
The head of Amnesty highlighted: “We want to recognize and make visible the courage of these women who put their bodies, their pens, their words and their public image, making stories visible and fighting to guarantee rights.”
These women “many times do so immersed in hostile contexts in which they are attacked, discredited and violated through hate speech,” he added.
? We are overflowing with excitement! ?#VoicesThatTransform: some of the women recognized for their key role in the path to legal abortion in Argentina ??
? @hindelita
? @Marcelitaojeda
? @mariaFFreijo
? @RoFerrerIlustra? We are live, here: https://t.co/13HjkIeX7u pic.twitter.com/1BygX27YU6
– Amnesty International Argentina (@amnistiaar) October 18, 2022
Those recognized received a “green heart”, a distinction created by the artists of Cabinet Óseo, as a symbol of their commitment to the fight for legal, safe and free abortion.
The honorees were: Dolores Fonzi, Thelma Fardin, Argentine Actresses, Julia Mengolini, Sol Ferreyra (“Disheveled Sun”), Claudia Piñeiro, Alejandra Flechner, Flor Freijo, Hinde Pomeraniec, Mariana Carbajal, Luciana Peker, Marina Abiuso, Ana Correa, Ingrid Beck, Mariana Iglesias, Noelia Barral Grigera, Silvina Molina, Soledad Vallejos, Marcela Ojeda, Florencia Alcaraz, Fabiana Taul (“Menstrual Sovereignty”), Candelaria Botto, Paula Giménez (“Yo Fermina”), Ro Ferrer, Carmen Amador, Laura Loncopán Berti, Mariana Romero and Gabriela Weller.
The awards were given by outstanding personalities from art, activism and communication such as Marta Alanis, Nelly Minyersky, Manu Mireles, Teresa Bo, Paloma Bokser, Ana Torrejón, Mercedes Funes, Co Isla, Florencia Halfon Laksman and Mariela Belski.
“In a world where there are unimagined setbacks in terms of sexual and reproductive health, especially abortion, Argentina is an example in the fight for the recognition of reproductive autonomy,” Amnesty said in a statement.
“Although almost two years have passed since the approval of the law that enables a woman, adolescent or girl to have a legal abortion, when it comes to implementing it, complex barriers persist in both the public and private sectors,” he added. .
Thank you, @amnistiaar. #VocesaQueTransforman pic.twitter.com/k9EMSaIqhE
— Hindelita (@hindelita) October 18, 2022
On the other hand, after the enactment of the IVE law “demonstrations that incite discrimination and violence” increased “against any demonstration that defends or tries to position an issue linked to the gender and diversity agenda, especially on social media,” he warned.
“These attacks often lead to self-censorship and even a refusal to continue socializing through these virtual forums. The inevitable consequence is the degradation of robust debate and plurality of voices,” she specified.
In this sense, Belski pointed out: “Ultimately, when we talk about hate speech, what we are talking about is speech that affects the quality of democracy with a direct effect on the physical and mental health of the people targeted by the attacks.”
