The Galapagos Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its unique wildlife, is confronting a devastating human crisis: a systemic epidemic of sexual violence against women and girls, with victims facing threats and institutional neglect when they seek justice.
A Paradise Lost: Rampant Violence and Systemic Failure
Recent reports reveal a pattern of horrific attacks, including the gang rape of three 15-year-old girls in a location known as “El Mango.” These cases are not isolated incidents but part of a broader, underreported crisis of sexual violence plaguing the island community.
Disturbingly, survivors who courageously report these crimes are often met with a second wave of victimization. They face threats from perpetrators and a wall of official inaction from local authorities, leaving them without protection or a clear path to justice.
The Protection Paradox: Wildlife is Protected, Women Are Not
A stark and shocking paradox lies at the heart of this crisis. While the Galapagos Islands are famed for their strict conservation laws that fiercely protect its giant tortoises and unique ecosystems, those same protections fail to extend to its women and girls. This disparity has drawn global attention, highlighting a profound failure in human security.
Without urgent action, the human tragedy unfolding in this ecological paradise will deepen, forever tarnishing the global image of the Galapagos Islands.
Guardian