ARGENTINA/BP/GOB.- The National Institute of Indigenous Affairs (INAI) absolutely repudiates all acts of violence that attempt against the physical, psychological, symbolic and institutional integrity of girls, women and diversities belonging to the different indigenous communities of our country in compliance with the rights and guarantees consecrated to the native peoples.
Since the recent dissemination by local and national media, gender violence against women belonging to native communities in the province of Salta by Creoles has gained notoriety.
The area of Women and Indigenous Diversity belonging to the Directorate of Affirmation and Indigenous Rights of the INAI, pronounced itself before these events, and put into immediate execution the protocol configured to be applied in situations of this nature, articulating actions with the Ministry of Women, Genders and Diversity of the Nation (MMGyD).
These dramatic events allude to the testimony of women of the Wichí people who denounced sexual abuse and rape by “criollos” in human hunts. From the accounts, it is clear what is called “chineo”, an aberrant practice carried out by groups of men who go into the bush and literally hunt young women and girls, whom they run, chase, knock down and rape.
It is worth mentioning that, in the town of Pluma del Pato, located 512 kilometers from the capital of the province of Salta, similar incidents were also reported to the courts. These are sexual abuses to girls and young people that have been taking place for a long time and of which there are 29 denouncements that prospered in the Justice.
It is important to emphasize that these are not cultural practices, as is often said. They are simply violations. For this reason, the aforementioned PROTOCOL is activated with the aim of speeding up the processing of complaints that reach INAI and providing support to indigenous victims. Said Protocol is framed within the framework of Law No. 26,485 of “Integral Protection to prevent, punish and eradicate violence against women”. The international treaty 169 of the ILO, in its article 20 – point 3, paragraph d), states that “…workers belonging to Indigenous Peoples, both men and women, shall enjoy equal opportunities and equal treatment in employment and protection against sexual harassment…”.
Likewise, and bearing in mind the creation of the MINISTRY OF WOMEN, GENDER AND DIVERSITY by means of Decree No. 7/2019, -amending the Law of Ministries-, as a response to the commitment assumed by the National Government to guarantee the rights of women and diversities against all forms of discrimination and violence, and in pursuit of the construction of a more egalitarian society, by means of Resolution 82/2020, INAI has created the “AREA OF WOMEN AND INDIGENOUS DIVERSITY”.
Source: Portal Oficial Argentina.gob.ar