Report on the Annual Gathering of the Group of Women Parliamentarians
3 1
Exposing Political Harassment in Peru
Ms. Mendoza, Member of Congress, opened her comments by pointing out a paradox characterizing Peru and many other countries in the hemisphere: there has been sustained economic growth over the past decade, yet staggering rates of sexual violence and economic inequality persist. She provided examples from her country, which has the highest rate of reported rape in the region, and where women earn an average of 30% less than men.
Her presentation focused on a specific barrier for women: political harassment. While it toccurs under many conditions in Peru, in most cases the perpetrators are authorities from the same party as the targeted women. It is not only elected women who are victimized by political harassment; it occurs at all levels of government and to women who are appointed or candidates for office.
Unfortunately, we are not talking about
isolated cases … Approximately 40% of
them – women authority figures – have
been victims of political harassment,
she explained. This number is high but the actual number is much higher, as many women do not dare report the violence. Speaking out publicly often leads to further and heightened aggression.
Ms. Mendoza shared examples of the numerous cases she has become aware of, noting that these situations are especially frequent at district
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