In El Salvador, gangs and organised crime terrorise the country. Inside schools there is violence too, and everyone is at risk of being recruited by a gang.
There is so much crime that it looks like we’re living through a war. Because they are easy targets, children and youth are by far the most affected.
Last year, 29 schools reported cases of human trafficking, guns were found inside students’ backpacks in 278 schools and 580 reported cases of drug-dealing. As a result, almost 69,000 children dropped-out of education and 313 were murdered in or around schools.
Stereotypes cause sexual violence
Here it is thought that girls should stay at home, clean the house and cook. When walking in the streets or at school, the threat of being raped is omnipresent. Gang members see girls as sexual objects. They can see a girl and choose them as their wife. If the girls leave their parents will be killed.
We receive no support to stay in school, even less to go to university. The threat of being abused in school is a barrier in itself. In the last year, 30 schools reported several cases of sexual abuse on girls and young women. In schools and public spaces, girls go to the toilet in groups of 3: one to use the toilet and 2 to look out for gang members who might rape us.
We want to be treated as human beings, to feel valued and feel that we have a future
Gang violence isn’t the only problem faced by girls here. There is a strong culture of misogyny. Women are not respected and receive psychological and physical abuse. Last year 575 women were murdered and just 11% of those cases went to trial.
For a girl, it is impossible to get justice. The authorities don’t file reports or investigate cases. Some authorities are threatened by, or are working with, gangs.
This leads women to think less of themselves. Many don’t even report abuse and girls feel like they don’t have a right to an education.
Girls lead change
We need to see a change for the girls and women of El Salvador.
I am determined to be part of that. I work with Plan International to provide workshops at national and local levels, in schools and communities. I talk about human rights, protection, gender and participation as citizens. When giving workshops I focus on girls and young women because they face incredible risks every day. A friend of mine lost hope after losing her parents. Since joining our workshops, she now works with the local government to hold forums where women can express themselves freely.
Join the global movement for girls' rights Sometimes people in our communities feel they can’t change their futures. Through the workshops, we show them they can. I felt the same way before I participated. Today I understand those are just mental barriers, and I’m proud to share that with others.
However, we face challenges. The territories where we work are controlled by gangs. I am afraid when I give workshops in rural areas. In schools we have the same problem. Observers check whether we say the wrong things. When giving the workshops, we literally risk our lives.
Of course there are ways to limit the risks. For example, I am always in touch with the programme unit of Plan International to make sure they know where I am and when. There are more practical things like leaving at the correct time and wearing the right kind of clothes that aren’t the colour associated with gangs. I usually wear Plan International clothes because the community knows and respect them.
Include girls in decision-making
I want to share the experiences of young people from my country. I hope to work with the government and organisations to find solutions.
Decisions made by governments affect us and therefore must include us. I want to call on leaders to listen to us and get us involved in their decisions. We must start by stopping the violence and addressing the inequalities that prevent girls from reaching their potential.
I am just one girl representing thousands. I feel I have the responsibility to say that we want to be free. Free to go to school and free to walk in the streets without fear. We want to be treated as human beings, to feel valued and feel that we have a future. Most of all, we want to shape that future.
