Browsing by Subject "Guatemala City"

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    Neoliberal Housing Policy: Adaptation for Housing Frameworks in Latin America
    (2016-11) Lee, Ka Yan
    Housing stock within Latin American counties is in critical condition as population continues to flourish. To alleviate this epidemic of housing shortage, current housing policy frameworks are examined for events in the past that caused the framework to fail. What is the best solution to boost affordable housing? Through an investigation of housing policy evolution of two comparison cities of Rio de Janeiro and Guatemala City policy frameworks are examined through economic structure and housing system. A solution to the failed housing frameworks is to incorporate neoliberal housing ideals of utilizing the private market to play a role in providing affordable housing in the cities. Through the analysis of Rio de Janeiro and Guatemala City, this paper examines the differences in public policies on housing and identifying how neoliberalism impacts housing policies differ from traditional frameworks. In addition, the paper challenges neoliberal housing ideals and the practicalities for today’s housing climate behind radical ideals.
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    State of Terror, States of Mind: Ladinas, Mental Health and Systems of Care, in Guatemala City
    (2014-12) Figueroa, Chantal
    This ethnography conducted in Guatemala City from October 2012 to April 2013 is based on in-depth interviews of mental health professional and women rights advocates, and the testimonios of Silvia and Teresa, two Ladinas having been diagnosed with a mental illness and having been interned in the system of care. This research brings to light the discrimination of mental health in a context of state terror. I critique the categories of mental illness and call instead to understand them as mental health needs in a context of acute everyday violence of post-peace accords Guatemala. The interviews provide the political context of in which the high demand for mental health services is met with a lack of investment in the mental health field and a neglect of policy and legislation. The testimonios of Teresa and Silvia give voice to the gender violence that leads Ladinas' to express mental health needs and the ways in which the system of care perpetrates this violence. I argue that the mental health care system is part of the mechanism of feminicide that discredits and silences Ladinas to secure the impunity of the state. Concluding with the finding that expressing a mental health need in Guatemala is related to the ability to exercise citizenship rights, I call for the development of a gendered citizenship project in order to resist state terror and promote mental health.