by Lien De Coster
-Netherlands-

Entering the courtyard I immediately find it difficult to breathe. There is an energy loaded with such strong emotions it seems impossible not to be affected. The courtyard is packed with people, mostly women dressed in black. I am glad to see one of my colleagues; and with some effort, I go and sit next to her.

This is not just another November afternoon in Guatemala City. Today we are not just covering another story. We are visiting Sobrevivientes, an organization that supports family and friends of femicide victims. Or, to put it bluntly, those whose mothers, daughters, or friends were murdered simply because they were women. I wrote my thesis on this subject, but today is the first time I actually see people testify about femicide. I could not be more shocked.