Leaders of the Network Without Borders for Survivors of Violence from left to right: Ana Hernandez, Camila Guiza-Chavez, Caterina Passoni and Denisse Cruz-Contreras at the organization's launch. Lisa Reisman Photos.
A group of women took a step toward realizing a better world with the launch of an organization that they hope will build support between survivors of gender-based violence in New Haven and Oaxaca, Mexico.
Known as the Network Without Borders for Survivors of Violence, or Red Sin Fronteras para Sobrevivientes de Violencia, the organization focuses intentionally on women with connections to both the Elm City and Oaxaca, according to its founders. The network made its official launch in a small classroom on Temple Street on a recent Sunday afternoon.
Denisse Cruz-Contreras, the lead founder, is from Oaxaca, which is considered among the most dangerous regions for women in the Mexico. Working for women’s rights there has afforded her, she said, “networks that will be very useful to develop the initiative.”
Cruz-Contreras said the idea to create the network was in part inspired by similar support efforts across borders, including two binational organizations promoting social justice for indigenous Oaxacan migrants and women in Los Angeles.
“As I’ve witnessed this vision come into focus, I’ve learned how urgent it is to create spaces of refuge for women and for survivors of patriarchal violence,” said co-founder Camila Guiza-Chavez, co-director of Havenly, which provides refugee women with fellowships that comprise a six-month training program that combines work experience at its café with education and community activities.
According to the New York Times, “patriarchal violence” goes beyond the physical. “It’s also the economic and psychological violence that keeps women subjugated through financial inequality, job insecurity, and health inequity, and the climate of fear that surrounds women as they engage in acts as simple as strolling home at dusk.”
“We know this is a worldwide issue,” Guiza-Chavez told the audience of 30 in a bilingual presentation. “It crosses boundaries of class, race, culture, geography, and it affects women everywhere.”
Another organizer, Ana Hernandez, said she got involved in the project because “as a mother of four children, I’m always fighting to improve their lives, and to move forward.”
The initial plan, Cruz-Contreras said, “is to acquire a space where we can hold activities, workshops, and conversations and reflection around the topic of violence and having survived violence,” as well as “opportunities for holistic healing incorporating natural medicine.”
For women seeking to heal, “there are different types of talk therapy provided by the system, but they are limited, and only offer a certain number of sessions, and then you have to find an alternative,” she said. “We wish to be that alternative.”
The space will also include a store offering “handmade goods by women who have survived violence in Oaxaca,” she said. “We will network with women who are already making those goods and already have those businesses, and strengthen the women’s economy there.”
In the process, she said, “we hope to start generating funds and raising money to open a shelter and safe house in Oaxaca.” (To donate to the project, click here.)
The broader aim is to promote advocacy toward change around policies on violence against women on a state-wide level.
“This is really exciting to me,” an audience member said, adding that she was involved in a campaign to ensure HUSKY coverage for all immigrants, “so that everyone can be covered by dignified health insurance that covers support and treatment for trauma.”
Toward the end of the presentation, an audience member lifted up his phone with a certain glee.
“There are people watching this live in Oaxaca,” he said. “They are very excited about this and sending their good wishes. They said that here, we have a lot of artisan craft-makers and small business owners who are eager to be part of this project.”