Q COSTARICA — Legislators Karen Alfaro of the Partido Liberación Nacional (PLN) emphasized that political violence against women cannot be minimized or normalized.
“Because yes, I have experienced it, and I know that participating in politics as a woman still means, for many, having to endure attacks that go far beyond democratic debates. It means being questioned, not for our abilities, but for how we look, the way we speak, or our personal lives. And that should not be normal,” she asserted.
Alfaro stressed that “it is not normal for women to face more obstacles and questioning to access and remain in decision-making spaces. It is not normal for digital violence to become a tool to silence and intimidate us. It is not normal for us to enter a session or even social media emotionally preparing ourselves to receive hate.”
“Political violence against women isn’t always shouted. Sometimes it’s disguised as bullying, constant interruptions, malicious rumors in the hallways, and what’s most worrying is that this violence continues to seek to push women backward,” she asserted.
Alfaro insisted that “this reality is not foreign to our country, and we have seen it reflected in direct attacks on female magistrates of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE), on colleagues who are here today, on the former president of the Republic, and on many other women who have held positions of power.”
“But every time women raise their voices and make a difference in the political spaces where we participate, when we debate and when we lead, we do so exercising a democratic right. And that right didn’t come about by chance; it was the result of the efforts of many women, like Pancha Carrasco, Carmen Lyra, Ana Rosa Chacón, and Ángela Acuña, who defied the limitations of their time,” she stated.
The Liberationist commented that “thanks to those struggles, in 1949, we took a historic step by recognizing women’s suffrage, expanding the doors to political participation. It was an enormous advance, but today we must honestly acknowledge that we haven’t progressed enough. That is precisely why our country has a law to prevent, address, punish, and eradicate violence against women in politics. Because the country had to recognize that this violence is real and that it can no longer be seen as part of our politics.”
“Today I want to address the girls who are with us here today, all those watching from their homes, all the young women who dream of leading someday. This space also belongs to you. Don’t let fear, attacks, or those who try to minimize your abilities make you doubt your worth,” she stated.
Alfaro asserted that “today I call for collective reflection, because combating political violence against women is not the sole responsibility of those of us who suffer it; it is the responsibility of everyone.” “I hope, colleagues, that the day will come when a girl can not only dream, but can become a leader, a member of parliament, a president, or whatever she wants, without having to first think about all the hatred she might face. Participating in politics should be an act of service, not an act of constant emotional resistance,” she concluded.