Lessons from Women Human Rights Defenders in Mesoamerica

Excerpt from introduction

"Around the world, a rising tide of violence and political repression against women human rights defenders, other activists, civil society organizations, and communities has raised questions and challenged assumptions about approaches to protection and human rights. JASS (Just Associates) as an organization that works with women activists to strengthen their capacity to organize safely and powerfully, seeks to contribute to the rich discussions related to these challenges. This issue of Making Change Happen draws on our own experience as well as conversations with allies and partners on the issues of protection, power, gender, and movements in a context of closing space for civic participation. Our analysis is shaped by JASS’ body of knowledge and history from our years of movement support in various contexts, the experiences of many of our founders in liberation struggles of earlier eras, and our specific work in Mesoamerica (Mexico and Central America) with allies to create and support networks of women human rights defenders.

Making Change Happen is a series of short publications about ideas and strategies shaping social justice and women’s rights work produced by JASS (Just Associates) in collaboration with various partners. Each edition takes on a different theme. This edition was made possible with the support of Open Society Foundations, Novo Foundation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs –  Netherlands, Oak Foundation, Foundation for a Just Society, the Fund for Global Human Rights, and Channel Foundation."

Edition 6 was produced by:

Authors: Marusia Lopez with Alexa Bradley
Key Contributors: Lisa VeneKlasen, Natalia Escrucería Price
Conceptualization: Alda Facio, Carme Clavel, Patricia Ardon
Editors: Annie Holmes, Adelaide Mazwarira
Translation: Anne McSweeney, Miguel Pickard, Emily Goldman
Design: Originally designed by Julie Montgomery and adapted by