I am a woman, and women of the FMLN movement stand for social justice and equality are ought to as well. Unlike men of the FMLN, women of the movement are fighting two injustices at once, one from the dictatorship and one from within the group. We joined the group to fight against those, who seek to use rape, sexual violence, and terror against us, but we found ourselves facing these injustices in the FMLN’s men. We are being discriminated against both subtly and explicitly, and both individually and systemically. Our contributions are not being recognized, and our voices are not being heard or given priority. Rapists of the FMLN are not being punished justly, and gay members of our movement are being stigmatized.
We must confront sexism on both collective and individual levels within the movement by mandating mutual respect, implementing policies for equality, and educating our youth. We need to have women representing among the leaders of the group. The FMLN is fighting for social equality, and it is evidently not achievable without embracing women empowerment, which is an essential centerpiece of such equality.
We are fighting class exploitation by the imperialists, but the basis which creates the latter is the same for homophobia and sexism. All three are built on the notion of hatred, bigotry, ignorance, and discrimination. Sexism is a plague and disease, which not only downgrades women but also degrades men as well. Sexism silences gay men and promotes toxic masculinity of violence and subjugation. Therefore, we must eradicate homophobia and sexism if we are to be truthful and loyal to our cause of social equality. Otherwise, we are doomed to become the enemy we are fighting against today.