Ambassador Wayne Honors Two Distinguished Women on the International Women’s Day

March 10, 2009

Ambassador Wayne and Felipa Nélida Borquez

Ambassador Earl Anthony Wayne honored on Marh 10 two distinguished women as part of the International Women’s Day celebration, for their work in defending the rights of victims of domestic and sexual violence. 

The first honoree was Felipa “Nélida” Borquez, who has championed for over 20 years women’s rights to live free of domestic and sexual violence. As director for a network of domestic violence centers in La Matanza, she has launched numerous public awareness campaigns to educate women that by law, they have the right to file domestic violence complaints at any police station, not just stations dedicated to women’s issues. For her efforts, Mrs. Borquez was nominated by the U.S. Embassy for the 2009 State Department’s International Woman of Courage Award , being one of the three finalists for the award in the Western Hemisphere.

The second honoree was Federal Police Commissioner Ester Mabel Franco. In 1995, Commissioner Franco created the Federal Police’s first center to assist victims of sexual violence. This division collaborates in investigations to collect evidence for use in prosecutions of sexual abusers, leading to the highest number of cases filed with the courts in ten years in 2008. Recognizing that victims of sexual violence suffer trauma as they recount their experience during the investigative process, Commissioner Franco has instituted procedures to instill confidence and trust between the victims and her police division.

“The two women we honor here today are leaders in the defense of the rights of victims of domestic and sexual violence and are examples of courage and determination in the fight against these aberrant practices. We salute you for your strength and for being the voice of so many women who suffer in silence out of fear or shame.” said Ambassador Wayne.