Ni Una Menos

Ni Una Menos
Name	Ni Una Menos
Formation	2015
Founders	Andrea D'Atri; María Teresa Fernández; Rita Segato; Marcela Lagarde; Patricia Bullrich
Type	Social movement
Status	Active
Headquarters	Buenos Aires
Region served	Argentina; Latin America

Ni Una Menos is a feminist movement and mass mobilization originating in Argentina that campaigns against gender-based violence, femicide, and machismo. It emerged as a collective response to high-profile murders and structural violence, rapidly connecting activists, intellectuals, unions, political parties, and cultural institutions across Latin America and beyond. The movement draws on intersections with labor movements, human rights organizations, indigenous organizations, and international feminist networks to press for legal reforms, public policies, and cultural change.

Background and Origins

Ni Una Menos developed in the context of Argentine social and political history involving struggles associated with Madres de Plaza de Mayo, Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo, Movimiento de Derechos Humanos (Argentina), H.I.J.O.S., Feminismo en Argentina, and debates shaped by scholars such as Rita Segato and Marcela Lagarde. The immediate catalyst was the murder of victims whose cases resonated with the publics following coverage involving personalities like María Marta García Belsunce and connected judicial controversies similar to those surrounding Judicial reform in Argentina and trials linked to Carlos Menem era politics. Early organizers included activists and intellectuals connected to institutions such as Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Derecho (UBA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, and artistic networks tied to figures like Diego Rivera-style muralists and cultural producers associated with Teatro Colón. The movement mobilized alongside labor organizations including Confederación General del Trabajo de la República Argentina and student federations such as Federación Universitaria de Buenos Aires.

Protests and Major Demonstrations

Mass demonstrations took place in cities including Buenos Aires, Córdoba (Argentina), Rosario, Santa Fe, Mendoza, La Plata, and spread to capitals like Lima, Santiago de Chile, Montevideo, Bogotá, Caracas, and Mexico City. National strikes and marches involved alliances with unions like Unión Obrera Metalúrgica, Sindicato de Trabajadores de la Educación, and transport federations connected to leaders such as Hugo Moyano. High-profile actions intersected with public events tied to institutions like Congreso de la Nación Argentina, Palacio de Justicia (Argentina), and international forums including Organisation of American States sessions and United Nations commissions where delegates from Argentina and delegations from Brasil, Perú, Chile, and Uruguay participated. Demonstrations referenced emblematic cases and cultural figures such as Susana Trimarco and judicial actors like Julio César Strassera in broader convocations.

Goals, Demands, and Slogans

The movement articulated demands for legal recognition, protection mechanisms, and reparations through calls aimed at bodies like the Corte Suprema de Justicia de la Nación (Argentina), provincial legislatures in Provincia de Buenos Aires, and municipal councils in cities such as Rosario. Slogans invoked resonances with global campaigns like #MeToo while also echoing the language of Latin American feminist treaty debates such as the Convention of Belém do Pará. Demands included implementation of emergency measures linked to programs in Ministerio de Justicia y Derechos Humanos (Argentina), expansion of services comparable to provisions in laws like Ley de Protección Integral (Argentina), and protocols influenced by guidelines from organizations such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and regional bodies including Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos. Street chants referenced cultural works attributed to artists like Mercedes Sosa and literary figures such as Alfonsina Storni.

Organization and Tactics

Ni Una Menos operated through grassroots assemblies, digital coordination via platforms frequented by activists associated with groups like Movimiento Evita, Partido Obrero, and feminist collectives connected to Casa de las Mujeres (Buenos Aires). Tactics included mass marches, cacerolazos, piquetes, teach-ins at venues like Universidad Nacional de La Plata, and symbolic actions at monuments such as Monumento a la Bandera (Rosario). Organizing drew on methodologies from community organizing traditions exemplified by Madres de Plaza de Mayo and leveraged media strategies involving producers from outlets like Página/12, Clarín, La Nación, and alternative networks including Indymedia. Legal advocacy partnered with NGOs such as Centro de Estudios Legales y Sociales and academic centers like Instituto de Investigaciones Gino Germani to pursue litigation, legislative lobbying, and strategic use of international mechanisms such as complaints to Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos.

Impact and Outcomes

Ni Una Menos influenced policy debates and legislative initiatives across the region, contributing to discussions about reforms in criminal codes and protocols in jurisdictions including the Congreso de la Nación Argentina, Asamblea Legislativa de Chile, and parliaments in Uruguay and Perú. The movement’s visibility pressured executive bodies like the Presidencia de la Nación Argentina to convene cabinets and to expand services in ministries such as Ministerio de las Mujeres, Géneros y Diversidad. It fostered alliances with trade unions, political parties including Frente para la Victoria and Frente de Todos, and catalyzed cultural shifts reflected in programming at institutions like Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes and festivals such as Festival Internacional de Cine de Mar del Plata. The movement also accelerated research agendas at universities including Universidad Nacional de Córdoba and spurred policy reports from think tanks like FLACSO and CELS.

Criticism and Controversies

Critiques emerged from political actors across the spectrum, including voices in Cambiemos-aligned media, conservative legislators in provincial assemblies, and commentators from outlets such as La Prensa. Debates focused on accusations of politicization, tensions with law enforcement bodies like Policía Federal Argentina, and disputes over strategic priorities raised by feminist theorists connected to Rita Segato and critics in academic circles at Universidad Torcuato Di Tella. Controversies also involved disagreements about alliances with partisan organizations like Partido Justicialista and electoral actors, as well as debates over representation of indigenous groups including activists from Pueblos Originarios and Afro-descendant organizations represented in civic platforms.

International Resonance and Adaptations

Ni Una Menos inspired movements and campaigns across Latin America and beyond, influencing actions in Mexico, Spain, Italy, France, United Kingdom, United States, and regional networks linking to entities such as Amnesty International and UN Women. Local adaptations took shape in campaigns like those led by collectives in Ciudad de México, mobilizations around cases associated with institutions like Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, and solidarity protests coordinated with diasporic communities in cities such as New York City, Madrid, Rome, and Paris. The movement intersected with broader transnational feminist currents involving activists from Campaña 8 de Marzo, Marcha Mundial de las Mujeres, and networks connected to scholars at University of Oxford, Harvard University, and Universidad de Cambridge.

Category:Social movements Category:Feminism in Argentina