To read the original article in Spanish, in FunDheg's website, click here.

On December 10 of this year, and within the framework of International Human Rights Day, which coincides in Argentina with the Day of the Restoration of Democracy, FUNDHEG held a webinar to present the report "Tongues of Fire: Flames of Hate in the Democratic Fabric," as part of the project "Democracy in Your Body," developed in collaboration with the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF). 

The presentation, which brought together a significant national and international audience, focused on the impact of hate speech on gender policies and human rights defenders. The report also highlights setbacks and the growing threats faced by sexual and reproductive rights, as well as the strategies needed to combat these narratives and policies through democratic and inclusive approaches. 

A day marked by valuable testimonies 

The event opened with remarks by Leticia Gauna, President of FUNDHEG, and Diana Cabral, the organization’s Executive Director, who underscored the importance of building a more inclusive and equitable society in the face of global challenges. 

Alessandra Nilo, Director of External Relations at IPPF, provided an international perspective, emphasizing the role of global cooperation in protecting human rights. Meanwhile, Gabriela Ayala (Social Communicator) and Mariano Leiva (Journalist) presented the report, highlighting its key findings. 

Among the voices that enriched the event were Verónica González Bonet, a journalist from the Network of Journalists with a Gender Perspective and the Network for the Rights of People with Disabilities (REDI), and Lenny Cáceres, feminist journalist and Director of the digital newspaper Femenino in La Pampa province. Both shared valuable experiences and perspectives on the threats faced by women and people with disabilities in public and digital spaces. 

Manuela Calvo, a journalist from La Rioja, provided a profound analysis of the judicial persecution she faces in her province for addressing cases of violence against girls and adolescents. She emphasized the critical role of hate speech in these attacks. 

Through a video message, Silvina Molina, journalist and founder of the International Network of Journalists with a Gender Perspective, stressed the importance of training in the use of social media as a tool for defense against hate speech, while calling for strengthened collective and network-based work. Along similar lines, Monique Aschult, a member of Mujeres por la Igualdad, agreed with Molina and proposed strengthening alliances with regional organizations as a key strategy to confront these issues. 

Also present were Lidia Pérez and Diego Cazorla, former employees of the National Institute against Discrimination, Xenophobia, and Racism (INADI), recently eliminated by the current administration. They emphasized that, in this context of hate speech propagated by the State, INADI’s functions have been rendered obsolete. 

The event concluded with remarks by Esmeralda Alfaro, representative of the Las Crisálidas Association in Guatemala, who reaffirmed the importance of regional sorority and solidarity in defending human rights. 

Reaffirming Commitments 

The webinar was widely praised for its content and the quality of the reflections shared. The testimonies and analyses presented not only identified current challenges but also proposed transformative strategies based on new democratic narratives. 

FUNDHEG and IPPF reaffirmed their commitment to continue working toward an inclusive, equal, and respectful society, especially during this critical moment for human rights in Argentina and the region. This event solidified itself as an essential space for dialogue, aiming to build democratic and equitable tools to confront the flames of hate.