On June 24th, in Santiago, Chile, a demonstration was held to support the Comprehensive Law to Combat Violence Against Women. The event took place during the enactment of the law and was captured in a photo, which served as a powerful reminder of the ongoing efforts to combat gender-based violence.
Unfortunately, just days after this important moment, another incident of gender-based violence occurred in the city. Maressa CrÃsley Nunes dos Santos, a young Brazilian woman studying in Chile, was hospitalized in serious condition after being attacked and attempted to be raped by a robber who had pretended to be a delivery man. The attackers stole items like cell phones and jewelry from Maressa and her friend.
Maressa’s family has launched a fundraising campaign on Vakinha to cover her medical expenses and help her recover from her injuries. They have already raised significant funds but are working towards their goal. The Minister of Women, Cida Gonçalves, has confirmed that efforts are being made to support Maressa and her family. The Brazilian Consulate General in Santiago is also maintaining contact with them at this time.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the challenges we face in combatting gender-based violence globally. Despite recent progress made with laws like the Comprehensive Law to Combat Violence Against Women in Chile and condemnation from governments around the world, incidents like this continue to occur too often. It is crucial that we continue our efforts to address these issues and work towards creating safer communities for everyone.
In conclusion, while there have been recent positive developments regarding women’s rights and equality, it is evident that we still have much work left to do in order to truly combat gender-based violence once and for all.