Fighting against violence

PANAMA. There has been a significant increase in insecurity indexes and insecurity perception in the last five years in Panama, making citizen security and violence prevention key government priorities

The National Assembly is currently debating the Security Bill, the government’s response to the rise in violence.

International organizations and civic groups are also playing their part.

The Inter-American Development bank has recently approved a US$22.7 million loan to Panama for a program to prevent juvenile violence and improve citizen coexistence and security in municipalities with the highest rates of violence: Colon, David, Panama City and San Miguelito. The Ministry of Government and Justice will be in charge of the program.

“The social impact of this program will be highly positive by contributing to the welfare of the population of the beneficiary municipalities, particularly youths, helping to change their habits, attitudes and values, and providing them with opportunities for development and social inclusion,” said IDB Team Leader Juana Salazar.

Civic groups are also keeping up with their own efforts. The Social and Sports Association Orion is organizing a march for peace this Saturday October 18, along with the Omar Torrijos communal board starting at 2:00 p.m. from the entrance to the San Isidro neighborhood.

“The reason (behind the march) is to send a direct message to youth that we should preserve life,” stated Ricardo Adames, one of the organizers.

The Social and Sports Association Orion was created 21 years ago to encourage youth to exert energy to become good soccer players instead of fomenting violence.

Through the discipline sports requires, the organizers hope to mold players into good citizens.

With the rise of violence, however, many in the community have lost their focus and their values.

The Association remembers them through this activity, inviting their family members and the community at large to take part.