Rural Women Speak Out Against DR-CAFTA

A forum organized by the Foundation Among Women (Fundacion Entre Mujeres) with the aim of allowing rural women to express their opinions about the Dominican Republican and Central American Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA) was held in Esteli on Apr. 21. Delegates from cooperatives and associations of female agricultural workers from all over Nicaragua participated. The organizers of the event explained that it was the first of several forums called ?For a Globalization Based on Justice and Equality? planned for the coming months.

A declaration was released by the participating rural associations in which DR-CAFTA was described as a sacrifice for poor countries that will allow the invasion of foreign investors. They believe that the US government is attempting to impose its will on an impoverished Central America in need of resources. The declaration indicates that DR-CAFTA will only serve to increase the domination of neoliberal globalization and that it will violate human, labor, and environmental rights. The US government was also criticized for attempting to privatize public services in Central American countries for its own benefit through the legislation of DR-CAFTA.