LA PAZ, Bolivia (HPD) — The courtyard of a prison south of La Paz was turned into a catwalk Tuesday.
Deprived of their liberty, they paraded on a red carpet wearing the wool and thread garments that they themselves made in the Obrajes women’s prison, south of La Paz, in an event held as part of the activities in commemoration of Women’s Day Bolivian.
More than 15 inmates took part in the parade, which was watched by a group of other inmates. The inmates hope to be able to sell their creations in order to earn some money to help their families.
In the prison, the inmates make fabrics and key chains, and carry out masonry work.
One of them is María Teresa Pérez, who is serving an eight-year sentence for a crime she prefers not to remember, she told The Associated Press.
“They do everything to send their children and that is a great help for all of us,” said Pérez, 36.
Her partner Gisela Gutiérrez explained that they also seek to demonstrate that women deprived of their liberty can “improve themselves every day.” Both agreed that knitting helps them stay busy and forget about confinement.
For the director of the penitentiary regime, Juan Carlos Limpias, the activity is a sign that “since the deprivation of liberty there are no impossible”.
“From the deprivation of liberty they can help in education, in feeding their children… making an effort in the productive part and empowering themselves,” he said.
In the Andean country, Bolivian Women’s Day is celebrated in tribute to the birth of Adela Zamudio, an outstanding poet, writer, teacher and fighter for women’s rights.