I am an indigenous woman who defends her ancestral domain

That yields treasures my tribe cannot own

That is preyed upon by foreign and local vultures

That is ravished by greed and destruction

That is bathed in blood of people who struggle

Because I have seen violence and

terror in development aggression.

I am an urban poor woman who eyes the signs for work

That continues to elude me

That cannot bring me food and shelter

That cannot ‘till now promise security

That pushes me from street to alley

Because I have seen violence and

terror from police brutality

I am a factory worker who earns a wage

That the capitalist has nailed to the dirt floor

That barely sends my children to school

That threatens and subjects me to sexual harassment

That weakens my will to join the union

Because I have seen violence and

terror that is contractualization.

I am a university student who dreams of a future

That is now heading for a dead-end

That now pushes me to seek means beyond decency

That ensnares me to trade honor and body for money

That strips me of my soul and dignity

Now I have seen violence and terror that is sex slavery.

I am an office worker who is dedicated to my ideals

That I should help and serve a government

That cannot raise my salary while officials wallow in wealth

That bullies me with a layoff when I complain

That does not really serve the people

Because I have seen violence and

terror in graft and corruption

I am a peasant, indigenous and urban poor woman

I am a factory worker, student and office worker

I am a prisoner of constant fear and anger,

I am exploited, violated and deprived of livelihood,

I am haunted by uncertainty and hunger.

I ask the authorities about my plight but

I am ignored and sent away,

I demand that I be heard but

only the government soldier’s gun replies

I march on the streets with others like me but

I am branded a subversive and a terrorist,

I am under surveillance, robbed of my rights

I am, the state says, an enemy.

But I say ENOUGH!

I am all those women who have found COURAGE and STRENGTH,

I am all the women who have built UNITY,

I am all of them who believe we must STRUGGLE

To STOP the VIOLENCE and the real TERROR!