The situation in my country is difficult and complex. We are a small country with a high population density. Most people are living in poverty or extreme poverty, especially women. The majority of workers belong to the informal sector—street vendors, domestic workers, and unpaid caretakers of their families.


Women, as caregivers, are the most affected. They are the first line of caring for others—in hospitals, health centers, quarantine centers, and at home. 


Basic services are lacking even without the coronavirus—and it’s worse now. More than half the population lacks safe drinking water, and more than ninety percent get water only for a short time each day. I get water service for two hours daily and use a cistern the rest of the day.


The health care system was already in a critical situation prior to the coronavirus. Hospitals lack medicine, and there are not enough health personnel or enough beds in the few public hospitals. Here, women die daily from diseases related to childbirth and pregnancy, malnutrition, respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases, and breast and cervical cancer.


Violence against women is a serious problem. There is a high rate of pregnancy among girls and young women, mostly the result of sexual violence. Many women are killed by their partners or by violence in their communities. This is one of the Latin American countries with the highest rate of femicide. Violence against women is evident in emergency situations, for example, in shelters and quarantine sites. Many workers in the public sector are now working from home. First sent home were women over sixty, pregnant women, and people with chronic diseases.


Social isolation imposes new challenges for how we live, how we relate to each other, and how we consume. For women facing violence, home is often not the safest place to be, especially at this time. Many feelings need to be discharged to think flexibly and creatively and to just move forward every day.


Many steps have been taken to contain the virus. Unfortunately, the government has not clearly communicated how to make the measures effective. This leaves room for arbitrary actions and human rights violations. With my country’s history of repression, military dictatorship, and a civil war, human rights violations would not be surprising. Patterns of authoritarianism, superiority, classism, sexism, and the oppression of young people can once again target working-class people and people living in poverty. 


MY SITUATION

How is it for me as a single, older, working-class woman?


Memories of the war and the underground come to mind over and over again. Being and feeling isolated. Fear of dying. Terror. Insecurity about money and about losing my job. Fear of getting sick, being alone, and not being able to breathe because of pneumonia. I’m also feeling numb and disconnected. I don’t want to hear anything.


I’ve done the following to contradict the above feelings: I got in touch with my regular Co-Counselors and set up as many sessions as possible to discharge my early hurts. I’m also resting more, watering my plants, and appreciating my garden and the space where I live. My daughter is with me, also working from home, so we have more time together and are more connected.


I appreciate your attention to this message.


In solidarity,