The Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN) is a
revolutionary socialist political party in El Salvador that has been fighting
for social justice and equality for over four decades. However, the fight for
equality is not achievable without embracing women's empowerment, which is an
essential centerpiece of such equality.
Women of the FMLN movement stand for social justice and equality and are
fighting two injustices at once, one from the dictatorship and one from within
the group. While men of the FMLN are fighting against class exploitation by
imperialists, women of the movement are also fighting against sexism and
homophobia. They joined the group to fight against those who seek to use rape,
sexual violence, and terror against them, but they found themselves facing these
injustices from within the group.
Women are being discriminated against both subtly and explicitly, individually
and systemically, and their contributions are not being recognized, and their
voices are not being heard or given priority. Rapists of the FMLN are not being
punished justly, and gay members of the movement are being stigmatized. To
confront sexism on both collective and individual levels within the movement,
the FMLN must mandate mutual respect, implement policies for equality, and
educate its youth. Women must be represented among the leaders of the group.
Sexism is a plague and disease that not only downgrades women but also degrades
men as well. It silences gay men and promotes toxic masculinity of violence and
subjugation. Therefore, it is essential to eradicate homophobia and sexism if we
are to be truthful and loyal to our cause of social equality. Otherwise, we are
doomed to become the enemy we are fighting against today.
In conclusion, the fight for social justice and equality cannot be achieved
without women's empowerment, and women's contributions and voices must be
recognized and valued within the FMLN movement. The fight against sexism and
homophobia is an integral part of the fight for social equality and must be
addressed both collectively and individually. The FMLN must take active steps to
implement policies for equality, educate its youth, and mandate mutual respect
to eradicate these injustices from within the group. Only then can the FMLN
truly live up to its revolutionary socialist ideals and achieve its goals of
social justice and equality. |