Yesterday I had the opportunity to join an informal discussion with Guatemalan Congresswoman Anabella de León. Anabella is a strong and articulate woman that has dedicated herself to transforming Guatemalan society and has become a voice for the poor and marginalized in her country. Through determination and education she broke away from the poverty of her childhood and became an attorney. She has been a member of the Congress of the Republic since 1995 and is an outspoken critic of corruption which she asserts, “…is present on every level of Guatemalan society.” Despite threats to her life and the alienation that accompanies her activism, Anabella continues her efforts to make a reality, the Guatemala she has always envisioned.

Anabella spoke to us at length regarding the worsening human rights situation and its link to the corruption consuming Guatemala and its people. The situation is especially critical for women. According to Amnesty International, since 2001, the number of women murdered in the country has risen every year. “It saddens me to tell you this but 26 women per day are killed in Guatemala and the situation is worsening,” expressed Anabella. Although there are laws and regulations in place to prevent this type of violence they are proving ineffective in a country with an ever-increasing murder rate. “These people continue to kill because Guatemala is a country of impunity,” exclaimed Anabella. She went on to say that a “culture of fear” prevents women from speaking out against the violence and injustice they encounter. Many women fear retaliation by those they denounce due to the lack of privacy, protection, and security guaranteed to them when they come forward. This situation is exacerbated by corruption which is prevalent within the government, law enforcement and civil society. The corruption found on these levels impedes not only political and cultural progress, but women’s advancement as well. “I knew that unless I got educated and prepared myself, I would not leave the poverty of my childhood. But many women and girls don’t have that chance. Corruption closes the door to education, justice, and security,” reflected Anabella.

When this is the reality one faces, it can be challenging to continue working and struggling toward change. “My work is like swimming against the current. You have to swim, swim, swim so as not to drown,” said Anabella. Nevertheless, it is the support and protection which she receives from organizations such as Vital Voices that help Anabella move forward in her work. “These organizations inspire the fighting spirit in me,” said Anabella. She went on to describe how the work of NGOs and pressure from the international community are necessary elements in the transformation of Guatemala, as they encourage leadership and mobilization within the country. At the same time, she believes that assistance and support need to be channeled directly to populations in need in order to bypass elements of corruption.

The obstacles to development and progress in Guatemala are being brought to the forefront by leaders such as Congresswoman Anabella de León. Her experiences and perspectives are important in understanding the situation in Guatemala and what is necessary to generate change within the country.

For more information on the work of Congresswoman Anabella de León, please visit her website.