Political gender violence in Honduras: congresswomen demand justice

In Honduras, multiple female lawmakers from various political factions have openly reported instances of harassment, verbal assaults, and gender-related political aggression within the National Congress. These claims point to a challenging atmosphere where female representatives encounter threats and disparagement due to their gender, particularly when they voice dissenting opinions or participate actively in legislative discussions. These events have ignited discourse on respect and equality within leadership roles, underscoring the ongoing presence of misogynistic actions and hostile language in the assembly.

The claims also suggest that such conduct has become more pronounced during heated debates, especially those concerning the Tax Justice Law and the overhaul of the judicial branch. Despite the gravity of these issues, it is said that congressional leaders have not enacted disciplinary measures against the perpetrators, thereby perpetuating political violence based on gender. In response to this situation, female lawmakers have called for tangible steps to ensure their safety and respect for their roles in the legislature.

Gender-based political violence and the institutional environment in the National Congress

Women members of parliament have indicated that actions such as verbal harassment and attempted physical attacks are widespread in the National Congress. This highlights a recurring issue of gender-based political violence, which hinders women’s comprehensive and effective engagement in legislative activities, fostering an environment of fear and marginalization.

Political violence driven by gender is especially noticeable during heated discussions, when women in legislative roles oppose the governing party’s policies. This issue not only infringes upon the rights of female lawmakers but also threatens democratic quality by restricting the range of voices and perspectives in the decision-making process. The lack of targeted procedures to tackle these instances in Congress perpetuates the issue.

Assistance from society and institutional expectations for women in parliament

Different areas of civil society, along with global entities like UN Women and the Network of Women Parliamentarians of Latin America, have shown their backing for the affected women deputies and urged the Honduran State to ensure equal and safe conditions for all women legislators. These groups have emphasized the importance of enforcing prompt disciplinary measures against perpetrators of political violence and the development of dedicated protocols to prevent and address such incidents within the legislative environment.

The women lawmakers have declared that they will persist in their endeavor to be heard and respected, stressing that their responsibility is to represent the public and not to endure harassment or abuse. Their demands include the creation of clear measures to safeguard their integrity, complete respect for their legislative duties, and the elimination of all types of gender-based political violence within the National Congress. These initiatives are seen as vital to bolster democracy and ensure fair participation of women in Honduran politics.