ONE at USC, along with another USC organization, Creating Just Communities, hosted an event featuring Mayra Sirias called “Nicaraguan Women Against Violence.” Sirias is a core member of the Nicaraguan organization called Women’s Network Against Violence. This organization stands up for women’s rights in the face of an oppressive Nicaraguan regime. The organization was also involved with the Sandinista revolution of the 1980s.
It was an amazing experience to learn of the events that have transpired in Nicaraguan from someone who is at the forefront of political activism. She opened my eyes to the injustice women face everyday in Nicaragua. The organization, Nicaraguan Women Against Violence, has engaged itself in many battles in order to bring justice to women, and 9 of the members are now facing jail time for their struggles. The trial is unfounded and unjust. It is the type of injustice that those who dare to contradict the authority of Daniel Ortega, the president of Nicaragua, are faced with.
Mayra Sirias mentioned the poverty of the people of Nicaragua. It is a country that has seen a lot of violence and conflict and this has had a severely detrimental effect on the standards of living of the Nicaraguan people. One of the most interesting points she brought up was about the economic blockade that Reagan enforced during the Sandinista revolution of the 1980s. This was very destructive to the economy of Nicaragua and the effects are still felt today. This is an example of how American diplomacy had caused poverty and hunger in a foreign country.
Thankfully, people like Mayra Sirias are working to improve the lives of Nicaraguans.
- Elisabeth Gustafson, ONE Member
