Jezebel: venezuela

Southern Discomfort

Anna — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:10:00 EDT

[Caracas, October 15. Image via Getty]

People demonstrate on October 15, 2009 in front of the headquarters of Venezuela's Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) in Caracas, against the constant power cuts and the intervention of the state oil company in the energy sector. PDVSA will invest more than 16 billion dollars in 2010 in a variety of projects, the company said Wednesday. AFP PHOTO/Juan BARRETO (Photo credit should read JUAN BARRETO/AFP/Getty Images)

Venezuelan Crowned Miss Universe For Second Year In A Row

Margaret — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 09:30:00 EDT

Yesterday last year's Miss Universe passed the crown on to another Venezuelan, Stefania Fernandez. During the question-and-answer segment Fernandez said women have overcome many hurdles and, "I feel we have reached the level that men are at." [AP]

Sound & Gagged

Anna — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:10:00 EDT

[Tegucigalpa, Honduras; June 25. Image via Getty]

Activists of the 'World Without Gag' organization stand a protest June 25, 2009 in front of the Venezuelan embassy in Tegucigalpa for freedom of speech in Venezuela and against the measures taken by the government of President Hugo Chavez against private television channel Globovision. AFP PHOTO Orlando SIERRA (Photo credit should read ORLANDO SIERRA/AFP/Getty Images)

Venezuela's Domestic Violence Levels Almost As Bad As Russia's

Jessica — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:00:00 EDT

Remember last week's story about Russia's alarming level of domestic abuse? Well Venezuela's situation is not much better, despite a promise from President Hugo Chavez in March, 2007 to ameliorate the incidence of such crimes. A woman dies from domestic violence once an hour in Russia, while every 15 minutes in Venezuela, a woman is attacked. According to a report released last week by Amnesty International, the March 2007 law "defines violence against women as a human rights violation and reaffirms the responsibility of the state and its officials to eradicate it," which one ups Russia, where violence against women is still not a crime. However, Chavez vowed to open more women's shelters, and has not made good on his promise. There are currently only 2 operating shelters in the entirety of Venezuela, a country of approximately 27 million.

Carlos Lusverti, Amnesty's general coordinator in Venezuela, told the AP that shelters are pivotal in helping battered women, because "One of the first things you can do is separate them from the place where they are the victim of aggression." Despite Chavez's sketchy track record (in general) he has come through with at least a few of his promises from that 2007 address. According to According to a Venezuelan news blog called Venezuela Analysis, earlier this month, "The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Luisa Estela Morales, had created a new tribunal which would focus exclusively on violence against women and will have the capacity to try 5,000 cases per year." But, with 90% of domestic violence cases still unreported, Venezuela has an incredibly long way to go.

Venezuela Abuse Efforts 'At Risk' [BBC]
Amnesty International: Venezuela’s Record Mixed on Eliminating Violence Against Women [Venezuela Analysis]
Amnesty: Venezuela Neglecting Battered Women [AP]
Venezuela; New Law For Women 'Useless Unless Fully Implemented', Said Amnesty In New Report [Amnesty International]

Earlier: Every Hour, One Russian Woman Dies At The Hands Of A Male Family Member

Strippers Lose Jobs To The Internet • The Simpsons Are Back on Venezuelan TV

maria — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 17:30:00 EDT

Print journalists aren't the only ones losing jobs, strippers feel the burden of the digital age. • Iranian says Barbies are "destructive" and must be stopped. • Incarcerated 400-pound man loses 100 pounds, sues county for underfeeding. • Six conservative women talk about dating whiny liberal men. • Two teenagers are jailed for life for killing a goth woman. • Mexicans try to quell the anti-emo riots by promoting diversity among teens. • Lourdes basically has the coolest mom hand-me-downs to pick from. • National Lampoon launches website to rate prostitutes. • Scientists just realize that periods are awesome, can repair hearts. • American Family Association attack soap on lackluster gay kiss. • An ironically long article on shorthand text speak, lol grwn ups r so lam3! • The Simpsons are back in Venezuela! • Baseball star Roger Clemens had a relationship with Mindy McCready when she was 15 years old (he was 28 and married). • Easy mistake to make: Woman attacks boyfriend, thinking he is a porn actor. • "Chinese eatery specializes in penis." That is all you need to know.