We are an autonomous movement of catholic and feminist people, committed to the pursuit of social justice in Latin America and the Caribbean, both vulnerable regions due to their inequality.
We fight for a change in cultural patterns within society, which limit people´s autonomy, especially that of women.
Our actions are based upon a theological feminist perspective that maintains social justice, multi-religiosity and moral authority of women’s choice.
We claim:
- Women’s right to autonomy, to decide over their bodies and a pleasant experience of their sexuality without social class, race/ethnicity, faith, age sexual orientation or gender identity distinction.
- Women’s moral authority to choose according to their freedom of conscience, including the choice of having an abortion.
In order to achieve our objectives, we promote and defend:
- The rights of women and young people, especially sexual and reproductive ones.
- Any argument that underpins the right to choose from an ethical, catholic and feminist perspective.
- Equitable gender relations, women and young people citizenship, and the defense of human rights in society as much as in the Churches.
- The States secularity as an essential guarantee for the exercise of the citizens’ liberties and human rights, within the framework of democracy.
- Any action that may stop the progress of anti-human rights groups or organizations.
- The end to any kind of discrimination that may result in violence against women, young people and any member of the LGBT community.
- The abolition of crimes based on misogyny and homophobia, as well as any hate speech expression towards sexual orientation or gender identity.
- Women’s access to justice, especially regarding sexual and femicide cases.
- The respect and defense of diversity; difference and plurality as necessary for the accomplishment of freedom, justice and democracy.
We work:
- Collectively, and internally we organize ourselves democratically, with active participation of all parties.
- In multiple alliances, sensitizing various sectors of civil society, particularly health professionals, education, communication and justice operators.
- In advocacy actions aimed at parliamentarians and decision makers, for the design and implementation of public policies in favor of human rights.
We propose:
- The recognition of the different forms of families and respect for the rights of its members.
- The creation of spaces for ethical reflection from a feminist, secular, multi-religious and human rights perspective, developing public dialogues on sexuality and human reproduction.
- Deepening the debate on abortion by broadening the discussion in its ethical, medical-scientific, religious and legal aspects.
- The promotion of the debate on the ethical dimension in the scientific and technological intervention in the vital processes of the people.
- The recognition of free, voluntary and safe motherhood as a human right.
- The decriminalization and legalization of abortion, affirming the right of women to safe and free abortion services.
- The fulfillment of the international commitments of human rights assumed in the world conferences, such as Cairo, Beijing and the conventions of the CEDAW, Belem do Pará, among others.
- The implementation of public policies that guarantee the effective use of human rights and the exercise of democratic freedoms.
- The elaboration of laws and the implementation of public policies and programs that ensure access to legal, safe and free abortion, comprehensive secular sexual education, and quality services in sexual and reproductive health without any type of discrimination.
- The effective separation between the State and religious institutions, as a guarantee of respect for secularism and a plural vision of society.
- The guarantee of respect for information based on scientific evidence, within the framework of human rights and recognition of the legitimacy of internationally endorsed scientific institutions.
- Elaborated in Caxambú in 1996. Modified in Lima in 2011.