Political harassment in the National Congress worries Honduran female deputies

In Honduras, numerous women representatives from various political factions have openly reported multiple instances of mistreatment, verbal aggression, and gender-targeted political violence within the National Congress. Such claims indicate a challenging atmosphere where female lawmakers encounter threats and condescension due to their gender, particularly when voicing critical opinions or participating in legislative discussions. These occurrences have ignited a conversation about respect and fairness in leadership roles, underscoring the enduring presence of misogynistic conduct and aggressive discourse in the assembly.

The claims also suggest that such actions have escalated amid controversial debates, including those about the Tax Justice Law and the reform of the judiciary. Although these incidents are severe, reports indicate that Congress officials have not enforced disciplinary actions against those accountable, which leads to the perpetuation of gender-based political violence. Confronting this situation, female legislators have called for specific measures to ensure their safety and respect in their legislative roles.

Political violence against women and the institutional setting within the National Congress

Women legislators have noted that actions such as verbal harassment and attempts at physical aggression are prevalent in the National Congress, demonstrating a trend of political violence against women. This situation hinders women’s complete and active involvement in the legislative process, fostering an environment of fear and marginalization.

Gender-based political violence is particularly evident during intense debates, when female legislators take critical positions against the ruling party. This situation not only violates the rights of women parliamentarians, but also jeopardizes the quality of democracy by limiting the diversity of voices and opinions in decision-making. The absence of specific protocols to address these cases in Congress contributes to the persistence of this problem.

Assistance and expectations faced by women in legislative roles

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.

Women in parliament have declared that they will persist in their fight to be recognized and valued, underscoring that their duty is to represent the people and not endure harassment or abuse. They demand the implementation of clear measures to ensure their safety, a complete respect for their parliamentary duties, and the elimination of all types of gender-based political violence within the National Congress. Such steps are viewed as crucial to bolstering democracy and ensuring fair involvement of women in the political landscape of Honduras.